Former Liverpool forward John Barnes has given his insight into the reasons behind Nicolas Pepe's struggles at Arsenal and has revealed that he feels 'sorry' for the winger.
The Ivorian has spent three seasons at the Emirates Stadium during which he has struggled to cope with the speed and physicality of the Premier League and the pressures of playing for a top club like Arsenal.
Pepe joined Arsenal on the back of an incredible 2018-19 campaign with Lille, during which he scored 22 goals in 38 Ligue 1 appearances for the club. The Gunners signed him for a club-record fee of £72 million.
His struggles mirrored the club's performances as the club endured a dismal 2019-20 campaign, finishing eighth in the league table and accumulating just 56 points, their lowest points tally since the 1994-95 season.
The North Londoners were unable to improve and once again finished eighth the following season. However, Pepe showed signs of improvement, scoring 16 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions.
However, he fell down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium last season following the emergence and development of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal are flying high at the moment as they have won all three of their Premier League games. Nicolas Pepe is yet to feature for the club this season and has become an outcast. Barnes believes things didn't work out for the fleet-footed winger as 'he went into an Arsenal team that was struggling'.
"That's why I feel sorry for Pepe for example. He came with a big reputation and for a lot of money. He went into an Arsenal team that was struggling. Now he's struggling because it didn't work for him," Barnes told Bonuscodebets.
As per The Athletic, Nicolas Pepe is set to return to Ligue 1 this summer. OGC Nice have reportedly reached an agreement with the English club over a season-long loan for the Ivorian. The move can help him resurrect his career.
Arsenal eye Wolverhampton Wanderers star as potential replacement for Nicolas Pepe
The Gunners will be keen to sign a replacement for Pepe as they will need a top-quality forward to provide cover and competition to the likes of Saka, Martinelli, and Emile Smith Rowe.
As per Football.london, the Gunners are interested in signing Wolves winger Pedro Neto. The 22-year-old joined the Premier League club from Braga in 2019. After an underwhelming debut campaign with the club, the youngster enjoyed an impressive 2020-21 season, during which he scored five goals and provided six assists in 31 Premier League appearances.
The winger was ruled out of much of the 2021-22 campaign due to a serious knee injury he suffered during a game against Fulham in April 2021.
But the Portugal international has once again become a regular starter for Wolves this season and has reminded clubs of his ability and potential. His skill-set and youth can make him an ideal target for Arteta's side.
Gunners4ever❤
0
Saka was promoted to the first team at the same time, isn't it working for him? So what's the secret?!
Exactly! And Saka was forced to play totally out of position for most of the season too and still did very well.
Gunners4ever❤
0
when did he score 16 goals in a season??
2 seasons ago.
Labklnrsy
0
pepe is a good player. he should be played in his natural position any time he brought in as substitute in order to maximize his strength and skill
What’s his natural position ????
wunblnos
0
is the only player who struggled for form but still get good and respectful treatment from Arteta even when he had the capacity to send him away to regain his form like others but he Arteta gave him the platform and hoping that he pick it up anyway hope to see him come back live wire
WeAreTheOGs
3
he never was at the level of a 70m player
ericklihanda007
1
tha equaliser against wolves
Miockmnt
1
pepe's struggle brought arsenal down. he is supposed to bring arsenal up a level but he can't cope EPL
LKD
0
Is this one demented? 🙄
Fiebdikm
4
the painful thing here is that all this stupid pundits and supporters of pepe don't want to say the truth, I remember 2019 season we played olinpiacus in semi final in that match pepe dribble two players and saw an emty net what did e do e want to dribble the third one and that player collected the ball from him and e started laughing that was the day I hated him and HV it in mind e does not want to play for our club so he should go and not stay
Pebabeikmu
1
Sign Neto immediately, no procrastination on this one pls, Neto the real star 😍
dee_59
1
when did he score 16 goals in a season??
Atsad
3
Saka was promoted to the first team at the same time, isn't it working for him? So what's the secret?!
9jaNinja8903
3
The thing about this so call pundits is they either high on weed or crack cocaine. 😂😅🤣
tohcelnu
2
pepe is an average player he get alot of time and still can't prove is doninant
faaaelru
3
absolutely rubbish, was he the only player that joined the Arsenal when the club was struggling?
jihdekmtz
1
pepe is a good player. he should be played in his natural position any time he brought in as substitute in order to maximize his strength and skill
Olanrewaju47
4
Pepe doesn't have what it takes to succeed at Arsenal. The Jersey was too heavy for him to don. Wish him best of luck 🤞🤞🤞
Gunners4ever❤
2
With the same average team an inexperienced Saka shined.
Heirnillaor38
3
Bro Pepe is an average player take it or leave it
loubepyz
7
How can you say Pepe us struggling to cope with the physicality and speed of EPL. How many players are more physical and have pace than Pepe. Is Pedro Neto stronger than him? The problem is that Arsenal overpaid for him and wanted him to perform magic with less game time.
Makaveli1989
2
Give him playing time
Playing time over already as Arsenal fan need results and also playing in champions league… no time to use the squad for playing time players… we need to be competing with top clubs, we ain’t small club and we should stop that mentality of giving players play time, look at the likes of Chelsea, Man City or Liverpool no room for give players time, all players are fighting for starting 11 and that’s what Arteta is creating, he want all positions to be competitive so some players can get out of there comfort zone
NGwins
4
Pepe wasn't given enough chance because of the emergence of Saka. He's a good player. Arsenal should loan him to Leicester for the season, let's see from there.
veaklmrt
7
Pepe is being played out of position by the.3 Managers he had worked with. He is not a natural winger. He was playing behind the main striker at Lille. That has been the bane of Arsenal recruitment since Wenger days which Arteta has corrected by his recent recruitment. Big Clubs go for players they need in specific positions on the pitch but Arsenal would recruit good players only to play them out of position. It's not all players you can convert. I commend Arteta for correcting that this summer.
Pabl8
1
-That's the whole point of buying a player. So that he can change the game.
howdklnu
0
pepe is like wilock
Votabrtuz
1
Give him playing time
Pepe is good prayer let them give him playing time
Musuarez
2
pepe is a good player if he keeps his cool
moacinrsu
5
Give him playing time