Former Arsenal player says he feels “no regrets” but believes fans placed unrealistic expectations on him.

Nicolas Pepe reflects on Arsenal spell, says he has no regrets

Nicolas Pepe, now 30, insists he doesn’t regret his time at Arsenal despite the criticism he received during his four-year stint at the club. The Ivorian winger joined the Gunners in a headline-grabbing £72 million transfer but struggled to consistently meet the expectations tied to that record fee.

Speaking ahead of a pre-season clash between his current side Villarreal and Arsenal, Pepe opened up about his experience in North London during an interview with BBC Sport.

“My time there wasn’t easy. The fans were often unhappy with my performances,” he said. “When I arrived, people focused more on my price tag than what I did on the pitch. Still, I believe I had some good moments at Arsenal. I don’t regret anything.”

Pepe scored 27 goals across 112 appearances before leaving for Turkey in 2023 to join Trabzonspor. He now plays in Spain but believes that if his transfer had cost less, perceptions of him might have been different.

“If Arsenal paid £20 million for me, maybe things would’ve gone another way,” he said. “Players don’t set their price tags. But that’s just how football works. Unfortunately, many people don’t see it that way.”

He also drew comparisons to other high-fee signings, like Mykhailo Mudryk and Antony, who have also faced intense scrutiny, despite their obvious talent.