Nicolas Pepe is running out of favor under Mikel Arteta at the Arsenal football club. The Gunners winger found himself playing second fiddle to Bukayo Saka last season, and his chances are going to get more limited this season. With the addition of Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos to the Gunners squad, Pepe might not get enough starts next season. Thus, with a possible demotion coming Nicolas\’ way, there have been speculations that the north London club is interested in transferring the winger.
Lately, Newcastle, Everton, and Leeds have been linked to Pepe, who could possibly be loaned by Arteta next season. However, if Pepe stays at the club, he could have a chance of performing well during the Europa League next season. Arsenal signed the Ivorian under former manager Unai Emery for a record £72million three years ago. However, the Arsenal winger just started in five games last season.
Amid all the tension, Pepe shared an emotional message after the Gunners returned home from a successful pre-season in the US. The Ivory Coast national wrote on Instagram, \”I worked hard during the summer and changed lot of things. I\’m focused and determined with @Arsenal and my teammates.\”
Edu Talks About The Struggles While Offloading Players
Nicolas Pepe could be on the list of players the Arsenal technical director would look to offload during the summer transfer window. Talking to Sky Sports, Edu shared that it could be quite problematic to get rid of unwanted players. He reckoned that it is not easy but a part of his job. The Brazilian international added, \”We try to create an opportunity for the player.\” Edu further explained that the crucial thing is to make the players understand why he is at the club and why he needs to go.
Now, Edu is aiming to work with the players\’ agents and find the best possible club for them. Edu reckoned that if one is direct to the players respectfully, it helps a lot in making the best decision and finding the right club for them. Several sources have suggested that Mikel Arteta and Edu are thinking of getting rid of Pepe. A possible loan deal could be the best scenario that appears right now for Pepe.
Meanwhile, the Gunners manager Arteta felt that Arsenal is still short in multiple areas. He talked about the current squad after beating Chelsea 4-0 during the pre-season encounter. Mikel shared that the Gunners still have injuries. They are still short in several positions in context with their game plan. The Spaniard said, \”We have increased the quality of the team for sure. And the level of the squad is obviously something that we want to keep raising.\”