In a recent report, The Evening Standard stated that Arsenal are planning to hold talks with Nicolas Pepe at the end of this campaign. It is believed that the Gunners are hoping to discuss the Ivory Coast wide player’s future later this summer with his current contract at North London set to run out in the summer of 2024.
Pepe’s Rollercoaster Season In North London
Pepe is experiencing a campaign of mixed emotions at the Emirates Stadium as he has caught the eye at times but has failed to earn regular playing opportunities during this campaign. The Ivory Coast international has found the back of the net on three occasions and provided five assists in 20 appearances for the Gunners this season on all fronts.
The 26-year-old has proven himself to be a consistent performer in cup football. Pepe is averaging 2.7 shots, 2.3 key passes and 2.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup. He has even been tidy when distributing the ball in the opponent’s half, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 86.9% in the EFL Cup (stats via whoscored).
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Does Pepe Have A Future At Arsenal?
Pepe has got the pace and dribbling ability to cause a lot of problems for his marker out in the wide areas. He can even engineer some decent openings for his teammates in the final third and can also generate a yard of space for himself to get a few strikes in at goal. The Ivory Coast international can even shoot the ball with power and accuracy from long range.
However, things have not fallen in place for Pepe at Arsenal as he has struggled to secure regular first-team starts in the English capital. Still, he remains an important member of Mikel Arteta‘s match-day squad.
Thus, the Gunners have made the right call by deciding to sort out Pepe’s future at the end of this season. The promising wing wizard has shown flashes of his brilliance but needs to be more consistent in the final third. Therefore, if Arteta decides to keep him beyond this summer, he might still have a bright future at the Emirates Stadium.
