2. Bundesliga
Allsvenskan
UEFA Europa League
Nicolas Pépé, once Arsenal’s record signing, has shared candid insights into his tumultuous stint at the Premier League club. The Ivorian winger, who joined the Gunners in 2019 for €80 million, admitted that he struggled to meet expectations and establish himself as a key figure during his time in North London.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, the 29-year-old delved into the challenges he faced, including the weight of his record transfer fee and strained relationships with coaching staff.
He specifically highlighted how his rapport with manager Mikel Arteta deteriorated over time.
“With Arteta, it wasn’t… well, it was good at the beginning,” Pépé revealed. “After that, the confidence wasn’t really there anymore. I was getting less and less playing time, so there was a certain frustration.
I’m not someone who likes to be on the bench every week without justification or explanation. So yeah, it’s something that created a certain tension.”
Unai Emery’s Role in Pépé’s Arsenal Move
Despite his struggles at Arsenal, Pépé pointed to then-manager Unai Emery as the primary reason he decided to join the club.
The winger recalled a detailed conversation with Emery that left a lasting impression during the summer of 2019.
“I had a call with Carlo Ancelotti, who was the Napoli coach at the time,” Pépé explained. “It lasted five minutes.
Half an hour later, I had another call, this time from Unai Emery. It lasted an hour. He told me exactly what he was looking for, everything he expected from me if I joined Arsenal.
He talked to me about tactics, what he expected from me, where he was going to play me, how I could improve under his guidance. Lots of detail.”
Pépé was particularly struck by Emery’s effort to communicate in French throughout the conversation.
“Even though he doesn’t speak French very well, he spoke to me in French for a whole hour. It was a small thing, but it impressed me. I felt his desire to work with me,” he said.
A Career of Unfulfilled Promise
Pépé’s time at Arsenal ultimately fell short of the high expectations that accompanied his record-breaking transfer. Aft
er making 112 appearances and scoring 27 goals in all competitions, he left the club in 2023, bringing an end to a chapter that promised much but delivered little.
Now reflecting on his Arsenal experience, Pépé’s revelations shed light on the pressures of top-level football and the impact that coaching relationships can have on a player’s career trajectory.
