Quick, agile, and a sharp finisher as he showed in Ligue 1, Nicolas Pépé couldn’t replicate his form in the London club.
After a splendid season at Lille (22 goals and 11 assists), the Ivorian headed to England for a hefty sum of 80 million euros.
However, his performances have been underwhelming and have failed to meet expectations.
In his first season (2019-2020), the Ivorian champion managed five goals, six goals the following year, and only one in the last season.
Speaking to the French daily L’Équipe, the Ivorian international reflected on his disastrous spell at the Gunners. “At Arsenal, I experienced a form of trauma, as if my passion had been ripped away from me. I felt a disgust for football,” he confessed.
He added, “Due to not playing, I questioned why I was in this profession. I doubted to the point where I considered quitting altogether.”
The 29-year-old player also mentioned another factor that left a mark on him: criticism.
“It was almost harassment. They don’t realize it can affect your mental state, your family, and consequently your performances. Players need support in facing criticism,” he admitted.
Today, Nicolas Pépé is a free agent after his stint at the Turkish club Trabzonspor.
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