NICOLAS PEPE has thrown doubt on his Arsenal future after hinting at a summer exit.
And the £72m Gunners star also revealed he has struggled to communicate with boss Mikel Arteta because of the “language barrier”.
Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has hinted he could depart the club in the summerCredit: PA
Pepe has endured a frustrating season in North London, making just five Premier League starts – the last coming in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in October.
With the form of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard firing the club towards a top four spot, the 26-year-old has been glued to the bench for most of the campaign.
Pepe suggests he has had talks with Arteta over his lack of game time, and insists he is working hard in training and physically ready to contribute for Arsenal.
Yet he was less committal when asked ahead of Ivory Coast’s friendly with England at Wembley on Tuesday night whether he may need to leave the club for more action.
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On if a summer move could be on the cards, Pepe – whose current contract expires in 2024 – said: “I am focused on how well we do until the end of the season and the club’s target, which is getting into the Champions League. Then we will see what happens.”
He added: “It is an honour to play for Ivory Coast. The most important thing is to enjoy your football. That is something I am able to do when I get the chance to play.
“It is happening at international level and a bit less so at club level. It is frustrating not to play. No player enjoys not playing but I have to respect the coach’s decision.
“When a team is winning it is hard for a coach to make changes. Mikel has explained that to me and I know I have to work hard in training to get more playing time.
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“The coach knows what I think and how hard I am working. It is also about communication. Sometimes it is not easy to communicate with the language barrier.
“It has been a tough season for me.”
Asked if he feels he has grown since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2019, Pepe continued: “I have improved since coming to London.
“English football is totally different from French football, particularly the intensity in the matches and I had to adapt physically and make that transition which I feel I have done.”
Pepe has one goal and one assist in the league so far, but his form for Ivory Coast is a different story, notching three goals and an assist in his last five international outings.
Asked if he is confused when he sees Pepe on the bench for Arsenal, Ivory Coast boss Patrice Beaumelle said: “Of course. I have a fantastic relationship with Nico.
“When I got the job he is the first player I went to meet at Arsenal.
“For a player, when he feels like the coach gives confidence, maybe he can give more.
“But for me, when I watch Nico on the bench it is painful for him as he loves to play and it is painful for me because if I want my team to improve I need my players to enjoy playing.
“I always respect other managers. It isn’t my job to comment why he isn’t playing or how he is playing. I would like him to play more as I am sure he can bring a lot of solutions.
“When you see what he brings to Ivory Coast, I would like to see him bring so much fun and joy and happiness and goals with the red jersey.”
