Nicolas Pépé Opens Up About Arsenal Struggles, Reveals Emotional Toll.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé has spoken out about the challenges he faced during his time at the London club, admitting that his hefty price tag contributed to a “traumatic” experience. Pépé, who joined Arsenal in 2019 for a then club-record fee of €80 million, shared how the pressure and expectations weighed heavily on him.
In a candid interview, Pépé stated, “I was bullied in London. I didn’t ask for €80 million to be paid for me. It was a kind of trauma, as if my passion had been taken away.” The Ivorian winger also revealed that the scrutiny and criticism he faced led to moments where he considered walking away from football altogether. “They were talking about me as the biggest failure in the history of the Premier League,” he said, reflecting on the harsh judgments from fans and media alike.
During his time at Arsenal, Pépé played 112 matches, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists. Although he had moments of brilliance, such as helping Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2020, he never fully lived up to the expectations that accompanied his record-breaking transfer fee.
After a loan spell at Nice during the 2022-23 season, Pépé eventually left Arsenal to join Trabzonspor on a free transfer in September 2023. He has since moved to Villarreal in August 2024.
His time at Arsenal, although marked by pressure, did include standout performances, such as his brace of free-kicks in a Europa League match and several key contributions in domestic competitions.
This emotional revelation sheds light on the personal challenges that high-profile transfers can bring, particularly when players are judged by the weight of their price tags. Pépé’s move to Villarreal marks a new chapter for the winger, as he aims to regain the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
