Nicolás Pepe insists that “it could have been important” for Premier League leaders Arsenal this season, had it not been for Mikel Arteta’s decision to freeze him… as the record £72m purchase The club’s sterling reflects on his future on loan at Nice.
- Nicolás Pepe has updated his future at Arenal after his loan at Nice
- The loan of the 27-year-old alongside Didier Digard does not include a purchase option
- Pepe recently returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks.
Nicolás Pepe has reflected on what his future at Arsenal might look like now that his loan spell with Nice comes to an end.
While Mikel Arteta’s transformed side continue their quest to clinch a first Premier League title for the club in almost two decades, the club’s record-breaking signing has played no role after leaving on loan to the French top flight in August.
During his return to France, Pepe made 17 appearances in Ligue 1 and recently returned from a knee injury that saw him miss much of the first part of 2023.
When asked what the future might hold for him, the 27-year-old said blue france: ‘I am very happy in Nice, there are still two important months left for the club. I want to focus on the last two months and the rest, I don’t know. There will be discussions.
Pepe also insisted that he “could have been important” during Arsenal’s historic title quest campaign, regretting Arteta’s decision to allow him to go on loan.
I don’t know what Arsenal wants to do. I still have many friends there. It could have been important for this club, but they are the coach’s decisions.”
Nicolás Pepe has reflected on his future at Arsenal as his loan deal with Nice comes to an end.
Pepe insisted that “it could have been important” for the team that is chasing the title of Mikel Arteta
Pepe arrived at the Emirates in 2019 during Unai Emery’s reign at the club, with a price tag of £72m surpassing the fee paid by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and making the Ivory Coast international the most expensive signing in history. of the club
However, despite reaching double figures in his second Premier League season with the club, the former Lille star was increasingly forced into a supporting role at the Emirates before going on loan without an option to buy. .
At Les Aiglons, however, Pepe has shown glimpses of the talent that made him so revered upon his arrival in north London, recently returning to action to help the club defeat Sheriff Tiraspol and reach the UEFA quarter-final. Conference League.
Speaking about his time on the sidelines, Pepe explained: “Today I’m 100% back, although it will take a bit of time to find the rhythm.”
“Despite the injury, I wanted to stay in the team and come to train, I always have. With the series that we are doing, we want to end well. We’ve lost a lot of players to injury this season finale, so I want to help.
Pepe has made 17 Ligue 1 appearances for Les Aiglons this season, scoring six goals.