Former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell has slammed Nicolas Pepe’s attitude, saying it is ‘too late’ for the winger and that the club should sell him.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international has hinted that he is willing to stay and compete for a starting spot at Arsenal this season.
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Pepe joined Arsenal for a club record £72 million from Lille in 2019 but has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular in north London.
He started just five Premier League games last season, contributing one goal and one assist, and according to recent reports, he has been deemed surplus to requirements, with Arsenal willing to listen to offers.
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Leeds United, Marseille, Lyon and Sevilla are all said to be interested in signing Pepe with Arsenal hoping to collect around £25m for the player who has two years left on his contract at the Emirates.
Campbell feels Pepe will be unable to force himself into Mikel Arteta’s plans – despite featuring in the Gunners’ pre-season tour – and feels his former club should get rid of him as soon as possible.
Speaking to TEAMTalk, this is what he said:
We know Pepe is a talented player, But you know what is the big problem? How all of a sudden is it that he is different now because he has changed agents?
You play for Arsenal. Your attitude and everything should be right from day one.This is the problem. This is why these players have to leave. I think he’s got to go.
No disrespect, we have seen him influence some games last season and the season before, but the attitude is the one that gets questioned all the time.
That’s why Saka has run away with that position – Pepe said ‘I will pull my socks up now’. It’s too late. We shouldn’t be hearing that at Arsenal.