Pepe drops hint on Arsenal future after snubbing chance to leave the Gunners

21 August 2023 , 17:33

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Nicolas Pepe is back training at Arsenal (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Nicolas Pepe is back training at Arsenal after turning down an opportunity to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

The Ivorian winger, 28, became the club's record signing back in 2019 when he moved to the Emirates from Lille but has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.

After falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, Pepe returned to France for the 2022/23 campaign, where he spent time on loan at OGC Nice. The forward still has one year left on his contract and is free to leave Arsenal before the September 1 deadline, but has so far been unable to reach an agreement with any suitors over a permanent exit to date.

While speculation over his future persists, Pepe shared a brief video on his Instagram story showing him sat on his own in the Arsenal dressing room. It has been reported that the winger is training alone at the club.

It emerged earlier this week via L'Equipe that Pepe has already turned down a proposal from Besiktas despite being surplus to requirements at the Emirates. It remains to be seen whether or not Arteta would be willing to reintegrate him into the Arsenal squad if an exit fails to materialise before the transfer window shuts next week.

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Pepe scored eight times in all competitions for Nice last season but a permanent switch does not appear to be on the card. In his absence, Arsenal have thrived with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli excelling in wide attacking positions.

Join the debate! Do you think Pepe should be reintegrated into the Arsenal squad? Let us know here.

Pepe shared a short clip of an empty changing room on his Instagram story (Instagram)

Pepe spent last season on loan in France with Nice (Getty Images)

After completing deals for David Raya, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz this summer, Arsenal are looking to trim their squad before next week's transfer deadline.

Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Arteta admitted that the size of his playing squad was "unsustainable" amid reports linking numerous fringe players - including Pepe - with an exit.

In an interview conducted last month, Arteta said of the club's transfer business: "Well, we have 30 players here which is unsustainable. Obviously, the market is still open and things can happen. We are prepared.

"I’m really happy with the squad we have at the moment. We have improvements to make in terms of what we want to do in games and we still have to do that [but] overall really pleased with the team."

Dan Marsh