Nicolas Pepe has cast doubt over his future at Arsenal after attributing his 'tough season' to a language barrier with Mikel Arteta. The 26-year-old, who is yet to have made a start for the Gunners since the turn of the new year, detailed the struggles that he has faced at the Emirates.
Edu's £72m signing has featured 15 times in the Premier League this season, averaging a measly 39.6 minutes a game. The form of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe has greatly hampered Pepe's opportunities under Arteta, residing him to the bench.
Football.london understood in December that Pepe was frustrated with his current situation at Arsenal and wanted to assess his options in January if his game time didn't improve. The Ivorian, who marked his latest international cap with an impressive goal against France, stayed put and buried speculation that tied him to an exit.
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However, after Pepe's latest admission, the winger has reignited doubt over his future at Arsenal. In an interview following Ivory Coast's 2-1 loss to the World champions, Pepe explained how a language barrier has stagnated his progress at London Colney.
"It is an honour to play for Ivory Coast," he said. "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.
“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.”
Pepe arrived at Arsenal from Lille three years ago this summer for an eye-watering club-record fee. He directly contributed towards just eleven goals in his first 31 Premier League appearances before matching his tally the following season in 400 fewer minutes.
It was a mystery as to how Pepe, who had scored 22 in Ligue 1 the season prior, struggled to translate his displays on British soil. But, the winger continued and explained how the physicality in England proved a problem for him.
“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.”
