Nicolas Pepe is set for talks with at the end of the season as both parties attempt to settle his long-term future.
Since moving from Lille in 2019 for a club-record £72 million fee, the 26-year-old has struggled to live up to the billing at the Emirates and, this season, has fallen out-of-favour with manager Mikel Arteta, making just 17 Premier League appearances.
The Ivorian has just two years left on his contract and, according to , could leave the Gunners with the club planning further incomings this summer.
Despite spending over £150m last year on the likes of and , Arteta reportedly wants to sign two forwards when the transfer window opens which could see Pepe’s opportunities lessen even further.
Speaking over a month ago, the winger divulged his unhappiness at a lack of playing time at Arsenal this season.
He said: ‘The most important thing is to enjoy your football. That is something I am able to do when I get the chance to play.
‘It is happening at international level and a bit less so at club level. It is frustrating not to play. No player enjoys not playing but I have to respect the coach’s decision.
‘When a team is winning it is hard for a coach to make changes. Mikel has explained that to me and I know I have to work hard in training to get more playing time.
‘The coach knows what I think and how hard I am working. It is also about communication. Sometimes it is not easy to communicate with the language barrier. It has been a tough season for me.’
However, Pepe could get the game-time he desires next term if Arsenal qualify again for Europe as Arteta would need to utilise his squad more than he has this season.
Currently, the north London side sit in fourth position in the Premier League, two points ahead of rivals Tottenham, who they come up against next month.
Last week, Arteta described Champions League qualification as a potential ‘game changer’ for Arsenal and explained what it would bring to the club.
He said: ‘To play in the competition that has a huge history and relation to our club. Secondly, obviously, it improves every situation with the sponsors, financially expectations, the capacity to grow our players and expose them to a different dimension of a competition.’
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