Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has opened up about his challenging spell at the Emirates Stadium, citing “unrealistic expectations” as a significant factor in his struggles to meet the club’s demands following his record-breaking £72 million (€80m/$90m) transfer in 2019.
Speaking in a recent interview, the Ivorian discussed the pressure that came with his price tag, describing how it shaped fans’ and pundits’ perceptions of his performances. Pepe, who scored 27 goals in 112 appearances for Arsenal, acknowledged that his output fell short of expectations, especially after impressing with 37 goals in 80 appearances for Lille before his move.
“When a club pays that much for you, the little details don’t matter,” Pepe told The Athletic. “I was young; it was the first time I had left France to play abroad. I had to adapt in lots of ways, but people don’t see that. They only see what happens on the pitch.”
Pepe went on to highlight the unrealistic demands placed on him, likening the expectations to the extraordinary standards set by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Automatically, the first player to be criticised is the one that cost a lot of money. You have to be getting goals and assists, goals and assists. People expected 30, 35, 40 goals a season. But it was only Messi and Ronaldo who did that. Arsenal spent a lot of money on me, and I paid the price for it.”
Despite contributing to Arsenal’s 2020 FA Cup victory by assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s winning goal against Chelsea, Pepe struggled to maintain consistency. The winger cited the challenges of adapting to a new league and lifestyle as factors that hampered his progress.
Following a loan spell at Nice during the 2022-23 season, Pepe left Arsenal permanently, joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in 2023. In August 2024, he signed for Villarreal, aiming to rebuild his career and find a fresh start.
Pepe’s candid reflections shed light on the immense pressure elite footballers face, particularly when burdened with the weight of record-breaking transfer fees.
