Nicolas Pepe speaks out on Arsenal future and confirms disappointment with choices of Mikel Arteta

Posted Saturday, April 01, 2023 by 101 GREAT GOALS

On-loan Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has, on Friday, provided an insight into his future beyond the summer.

Wide-man Pepe, of course, secured a temporary departure from the Emirates Stadium ahead of the current campaign.

Amid ongoing struggles for game-time owing to the emergence of Bukayo Saka, it was decided that the Ivorian international would benefit from a prolonged stretch of first-team football elsewhere.

In turn, he went on to make a return to France, linking up with Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.

And, recent knee injury aside, Pepe has since enjoyed a productive go of things with Les Aiglons, racking up eight goals across 25 appearances in all competitions.

Speaking to the media on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when his future beyond the coming summer was put to Nice’s talented attacker.

And, first, Pepe was keen to confirm his happiness in the southeast of France, ahead of ‘discussions’ following the season’s conclusion:

“I am very happy at Nice There are two important months to come for this club. I want to concentrate on that and I’m not sure after that. There will be discussions.”

From here, the 27-year-old also opened up on his regrets with how things unfolded at Arsenal, assuring that he ‘could have been important’ in north London, if not for the ‘coach’s choices’:

“I don’t know what Arsenal want. I still have a lot of friends there. I could have been important for the club, but those are the coach’s choices.”

ICYMI | Nicolas Pépé (27) has said that he is happy at Nice, whilst also voicing disappointment at the choices made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta - the details. https://t.co/KVdv1XvNYR
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 31, 2023