Nicolas Pepe, the 29-year-old Ivorian international, has left a unique mark on the soccer world. Nothing in his career stands out more than that time at Arsenal, which was both challenging and rewarding.
Pepe joined from Lille in August 2019 for a club-record transfer fee from Arsenal, a move that caused a stir at the time. Pepe, who was in his prime at the time, had a stellar season in Ligue 1 the previous season, scoring 23 goals in 42 games and being named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year. With such a performance, Arsenal has high hopes for him and expects him to be the new blade in the team's forward line.
However, the world of soccer is always full of variables. Pepe's initial performance at Arsenal did not live up to the high expectations of the fans and the club. Despite his efforts to adapt to his new environment, he scored only 8 goals in his first season, far below the fans' expectations. Such performances made many begin to question why Arsenal would spend such a huge amount of money to sign him.
In the face of external doubts and pressure, Pepe did not choose to escape. He continued to train hard and strive to prove himself in the game. His performance improved in the following season, but due to the team's tactical adjustments and personnel changes, he was not able to contribute goals consistently and steadily. Eventually, in August 2022, he was loaned back to Nice in search of a new breakthrough.
Looking back at his time at Arsenal, Pepe says he has no regrets. He admits that it wasn't an easy time and that the fans were judging him more on his transfer fee than his performances, which frustrated him. But he also emphasized that he did some great things at Arsenal, learned a lot and gained valuable experience.
Pepe has a clear understanding of the pressure that comes with transfer fees. He believes that if Arsenal had signed him at a lower price, perhaps things would have been different. But this is the reality of the soccer world, high transfer fees often put extra expectations and pressure on players. He hopes to change this bias through his hard work and performance, and let the fans see his true value.
Now, Pepe has left Arsenal and joined Trabzonspor. In the new environment, he hopes to rediscover his form and continue to bring exciting games to the fans. For the future, he is full of confidence and expectation.
