Former Arsenal star Kevin Campbell has slammed Nicolas Pepe for not putting enough effort during his time at the club.
The Gunners signed the Ivory Coast international for a whopping £72m in 2019 on the back of his impressive campaign with Lille in Ligue 1. But he has scored just 16 Premier League goals in 80 appearances for the club.
Some reports suggest that Pepe is a target for a number of clubs in England. These clubs will be hoping they can sign him for a cut-price fee given his underwhelming performances in recent seasons.
However, the club-record signing recently posted on Instagram that he is determined to resurrect his Arsenal career this season. The 27-year-old also changed his agents in a bid to get his career back on track.
Campbell believes his career at the north London club is beyond repair now, with Pepe’s attitude being one of the biggest reasons for his underwhelming performances. He wants the club to get rid of him this summer and while speaking to the Highbury squad, the 52-year-old said:
“I have always said the talent level, it can’t be questioned. We know Pepe is a talented player. But you know what is the big problem? How all of a sudden is it that he is different now because he has changed agents? You play for Arsenal. Your attitude and everything should be right from day one.
“This is the problem. This is why these players have to leave. I think he’s got to go. No disrespect, we have seen him influence some games last season and the season before, but the attitude is the one that gets questioned all the time.
“That’s why Saka has run away with that position – Pepe said ‘I will pull my socks up now’. It’s too late. We shouldn’t be hearing that at Arsenal.”
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Pepe had initially shown glimpses of quality, but he has failed to deliver them consistently. He has fallen down the pecking order, having started just five league games last season.
Undoubtedly, the winger is a talented player, but it has not worked out for him in the English capital. And as Campbell suggests, it is unlikely that he can turn things around this season.
However, Arsenal will face a difficult time in finding a club that is willing to pay a transfer fee anywhere close to the absurd amount of money they spent to secure Pepe’s services. This transfer could go down as one of Arsenal’s worst signings ever.
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