£140k-a-week player finished at Arsenal after what Arteta has done – our view

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If there was any doubt that Nicolas Pepe would be leaving Arsenal this summer, Mikel Arteta has eradicated it.

Speculation is mounting that Ligue 1 outfit Nice want to bring the former Lille winger back to France between now and September.

Pepe was bought for £72 million in 2019, making him Arsenal’s record transfer.

However, it’s been a disastrous stint in North London – and one that’s probably finished soon, based on Arteta’s actions.

Arsenal hammered Bournemouth 3-0 this past weekend and Pepe was a notable omission from the squad.

The 27-year-old was in the squad for the Gunners’ first two Premier League victories of the campaign.

However, his absence on Saturday spoke volumes and going by Arteta’s decision to leave him in London, well it would be a massive surprise if he’s still at Colney beyond the transfer window.

The Spanish manager has made a very clear statement that Pepe – who earns £140,000 per week – will not be considered going forward.

And Arteta is generally a very decisive figure when it comes to not using certain players, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Guendouzi will testify to.

Pepe’s Arsenal career has had a lot of nails in it for quite some time, having only managed 16 goals, nine assists in 80 Premier League outings.

But being left out of the squad this past weekend, that was the final one.