Nicolas Pepe has suggested he could leave this summer following a ‘tough’ and ‘frustrating’ season at the Emirates.
Pepe, who Arsenal signed from Lille for £72m in 2019, has only started five Premier League games this season.
Much was expected of the Ivory Coast international when he arrived in north London, but he has largely underwhelmed and fallen behind the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
Pepe believes the language barrier has contributed to his ‘frustrating’ campaign at Arsenal and said ‘we will see what happens’ when asked about his future at the club.
‘I am focused on how well we do until the end of the season and the club’s target, which is getting into the Champions League. Then we will see what happens,’ the 26-year-old said.
‘Mikel Arteta has explained that to me and the coach knows what I think and how hard I’m working.
‘It is also about communication. Sometimes it’s not easy to communicate with the language barrier. It has been a tough season for me.
‘Of course, it is frustrating not to play. No player enjoys not playing but I have to respect the coach’s decision and the team is doing well at the moment.’
Arsenal have a three-point advantage over top-four rivals Tottenham as they look to secure their return to the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who beat Aston Villa 1-0 before the international break, return to action on Monday night against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson, meanwhile, says his following his struggles in the Premier League.
‘Don’t expect Nicolas Pepe to suddenly become an Arsenal legend – he’s a £72m sub they’d bite your hand off to get rid of,’ Merson told the recently.
‘You’d be lucky to get £30m for him now. We’ve seen it too many times where he comes on and looks amazing and then he disappears again for weeks.
‘It’s all about consistency and he’s never been able to find it. He hasn’t put it together enough for me.’
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