Nicolas Pepe Makes Decision on Arsenal Future After Being Left out Of Squad to Face Bournemouth

Nicolas Pepe Makes Decision on Arsenal Future After Being Left out Of Squad to Face Bournemouth

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
In this article:
English Premier League logo
ENG Premier League
England
  • Nicolas Pepe is reportedly keen on cutting his losses and leaving Arsenal
  • The Ivory Coast international was left out of the squad that faced Bournemouth on Saturday, August 20
  • He was signed for £72million from Lille in 2019 but has become a peripheral figure under Mikel Arteta in recent times

Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe is edging towards an exit after falling out of favor under Mikel Arteta, according to latest reports.

Pepe is Arsenal’s record signing, having come in from Lille for a staggering £72million back in 2019.

But he has struggled to live up to his hefty price tag and this has led to rumors that he could be released by Arsenal for a cut price.

According to The Mirror, there is substantial interest from Nice in the Ligue 1, and Pepe is also determined to move on.

In his 112 appearances as an Arsenal player, Pepe has scored 27 times in a spell that has at times been hampered by injuries.

Arteta also hinted that his winger was bound for the exit door before the September 1 deadline, but did not divulge on whether anything was imminent.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

“What we can communicate we always do when it’s the right moment.,” He said in a prematch press conference.
“We discussed that we have a big squad and we’ve made some decisions and allowed some players to leave. Until the end of the window it’s possible that anything can happen with any player.”

Arsenal thrash Bournemouth to go top

As far as the Gunners’ game is concerned, they are looking decent without Pepe as they recently secured a third successive win in the league after beating Bournemouth 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

Martin Odegaard was the star of the show as the Norwegian bagged a brace, with Willian Saliba rounding off the scoreline in the second half with a beautiful curling strike.

Mikel Arteta went into the game having secured wins against Crystal Palace and Leicester City in his side’s opening two games.

For this reason, it only made sense for the gaffer to name the same starting XI that secured victory in both those games.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
Tags
Mikel Arteta