Nicolas Pepe has agreed to take a 25 per cent pay cut to join Nice on loan. He has still been a monumental waste of money for Arsenal.
There was much excitement among the Gunners' support when they signed Pepe from Lille in the summer of 2019.
While the young Ivorian cost a club record €79 million, eclipsing the previous high of €62m Arsenal paid Borussia Dortmund for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018, he did look like one of the most promising players in the game at the time.
In his final season at Lille, Pepe plundered 23 goals and 11 assists in all competitions at a rate of one every 96 minutes he played, finding the target home and away against Paris Saint-Germain in the process.
Three seasons and just 16 goals later, and Pepe is back in France on a season-long loan to Nice without an option to make the deal permanent - not that the Ligue 1 outfit would fork out even half what Arsenal paid, successful spell or not.
"There were ups and downs," Pepe told Nice's official website of his time at Arsenal. "In the first season I managed to win two titles, the FA Cup and the Community Shield, which is no mean feat.
"The following season, we unfortunately failed in the Europa League semi-final against Villareal. It was more complicated after that, but I only remember the good things."
Perhaps one of the best things about Pepe's time at Arsenal was his pay packet. On €10m a season at the Emirates, the winger earned more than twice as much as the new club captain Martin Odegaard in basic salary.
How much has Pepe cost Arsenal?
He has agreed to take a 25 per cent pay cut to facilitate his move to the French Riviera, which puts his yearly income at €7.5m. Arsenal and Nice are paying half of that each, so this season Pepe will cost the Gunners €3.75m.
His three full seasons in North London came in at €10m each, so that takes the outlay on his salary up to €33.75m by the end of the current campaign. Add in his 2019 transfer fee and Pepe has cost Arsenal €112.75m.
Twenty-three goals in his final season at Lille, Pepe scored 27 in three campaigns with Arsenal. Admittedly a winger who is expected to make as much as take chances, that still cost the Gunners nearly €4.2m per goal.
poceikpruy
0
Remember we paid the 72 million in 4yrs.. So it's really not that bad, especially if he comes back from his loan with more confidence..
Rekdmnpr
0
Just get rid of this unproductive player.
jibabcdlno
1
why didn't you guys calculate Willian ,Tores Falcao Morata and the like at Chelsea or calculate other players from other big teams why why why always Arsenal and now people say Arsenal fans and players mustn't celebrate a good Win or a goal .. Jealous Jealous will kill people
daccilpsu
1
Have u watched his games?
danoni31
2
Bring Tavarez back next season as a LWB or LWF, he has 3 goals in 4 games for OM.
jowcilmry
0
what the hell is arsenal doing players going and now injuries and still ain't bring in nobody yet day g wait until til d dropping down to start to talk about getting someone
the_Profe55or
1
I don't like the way the media is making out Pepe's time at Arsenal to be such a failure, yea it did not work out as expected but he's still quality just not consistent enough, plus he is better suited for a team that plays on the counter
at least his first season was ten times better than Lukaku! 😁
ElRay
3
I don't like the way the media is making out Pepe's time at Arsenal to be such a failure, yea it did not work out as expected but he's still quality just not consistent enough, plus he is better suited for a team that plays on the counter
wihbilnouy
3
i wish him the best
pohaoruy
1
Don’t let the door hit you in the arse, Pepe
BenGud
1
The problem has something to do with his pattern of football in Arsenal.
Votabrtuz
1
He is not a bad winger if he can score 10 or 9 goals per season that's great
Bornface Kafola
2
I wish him the best
teeacdlpr
1
flop
Wimbcetuy
1
Make ways for the right ones
Boneilopr
0
mi glad him gone, him too lazy