Nicolas Pepe may have played his last Arsenal game as image emerges – pundit
Nicolas Pepe may have played his final game for Arsenal, according to Kevin Campbell.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners striker suggested Pepe does not suit Mikel Arteta’s style of play.
The 27-year-old has not started a Premier League game since October 2021 and is yet to feature this season.
On Wednesday (16 August), his agent Louis Ferrer shared a photo of himself at Nice’s Allianz Riviera Stadium on Instagram.
It comes after Foot Mercato reported the same day that Pepe was “interested” in a loan move to the Ligue 1 club who have already signed Kasper Schmeichel and Aaron Ramsey this summer.
“[He has] no long term-future at Arsenal,” Campbell told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think the manager has seen enough of Pepe, or should I say not enough from Pepe, whichever way you look at it.
“Pepe’s just got to play football. He’s young and his talent is unquestionable.
“I just think in the present regime with what you are asked to do at Arsenal with what Mikel Arteta wants he can’t do it, if I’m honest.
“Who has come in? Bukayo Saka has come in and he’s been Arsenal’s player of the season for the last two seasons outperforming a £72million signing.
“Pepe doesn’t have a future at Arsenal. I think he can go on loan, play some football and shine then hopefully somebody will put some money down for him and he can restart his career somewhere else.”
Pepe moved to Arsenal from Lille for a club-record fee in the summer of 2019.
The Ivory Coast international has scored 27 times and provided a further 21 assists in 112 games across all competitions for the Gunners.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Arsenal have been “blinded by the cheque” after a ruling is made.