‘Doesn’t have a future’: Kevin Campbell believes 27-year-old won’t play for Arsenal again – should find another club
Kevin Campbell has told The Highbury Squad that he believes that Nicolas Pepe has no future at Arsenal, suggesting that the only way he would return to the fold at the Emirates is if the Gunners fail to find a permanent buyer for the Ivorian.
Pepe has become something of a forgotten man at the Emirates. The 27-year-old joined Nice on loan in the summer after an underwhelming spell in North London.
It is fair to say that the forward has not been missed by Mikel Arteta’s side. Obviously, they sit top of the Premier League heading into the season’s resumption after Christmas.
Kevin Campbell believes Nicolas Pepe is done at Arsenal
But he has done well with Nice. Pepe has six goals in 18 games in all competitions, including three in his last six in Ligue 1.
With Arsenal on the lookout for a new forward, some may be wondering whether the club would be tempted to consider bringing Pepe back as a last resort in January to ensure that they have the depth required during a potential title charge.
It is not clear whether the Gunners have any option to recall Pepe. But Campbell insisted that he cannot see him playing for the club again whenever his loan does end.
“He doesn’t have a future at the club. It’s that simple. The only reason he comes back is really if the clubs don’t want him. That’s the only reason he comes back,” he told The Highbury Squad.
“He’s not coming back. Mikel Arteta has tried him, seen him. No.”
It is likely that Campbell’s comments reflect what a lot of Arsenal supporters feel about Pepe. Unfortunately, it was simply a move which did not work out for anyone.
Pepe was not helped by the transfer fee which took him to North London. And he definitely did show glimpses of his quality. His record of 48 goal involvements in 112 games for the club is very respectable.
However, just over half of those goals came in the Premier League. He was not able to impact the big games when Arsenal really needed him.
So the loan move to Nice has really been agreed in the hope that it paves the way for a permanent move elsewhere in the future.
