In an exclusive interview with the BBC today, Arsenal veteran Nicolas Pepe looked back on his original €80 million (£72 million) move to Arsenal and shared his feelings and opinions.
Pepe said, "When I first joined Arsenal, the fans weren't concerned about my performances, they were more concerned about my transfer fee. But I think I did some great things at Arsenal and I don't regret my time there."
Pepe continued, "My transfer fee was the highest in the team's history, so they expect me to score every game. If Arsenal had signed me for £20 million, maybe things would have been different. It's not the player's fault, players don't ask for 100 million euros or 90 million euros, but that's how the soccer world is, people can't understand it."
Pepe also mentioned some of the other high-priced transfers, "Players like Mudrick, Anthony, they don't always play at their best, but they're not bad players."
The interview gave fans a glimpse into Pepe's inner world after his high priced move and an understanding of the immense pressures and challenges he endured. Despite failing to fully live up to expectations, Pepe says his experience at Arsenal is still valuable and he is proud of his performances there.
