Arsenal have officially loaned Nicolas Pepe to Nice for one season. Three years ago, Arsenal signed him with big hopes for a record price like 80 million euros. But unfortunately he couldn't satisfy the expectations from him. Before coming to the Premier League, he was performing great for Lille. The 18/19 season was his brightest one as he had stats like 22 goals and 11 assists in the Ligue 1. However he shared the same fate with Lacazette after coming to Arsenal.
Now as he is back in the Ligue 1, I hope to see the same positive change for Pepe like it's happened to Lacazette now. I'm surprised that Nice didn't prefer a buying option on the loan contract but maybe they would still go for signing him depending on his effort. I don't think Arsenal would say no to that.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/arsenal-loan-record-signing-nicolas-pepe-to-ogc-nice-needed-room-to-improve-squad/view/news/410136I think have problem adapting faced by Nicolas Pepe with Arsenal and this season returning back with Nice as loan option, I think become his chance show to Arteta about wrong decision loan him to Ligue 1 team Nice. Problem faced by Nicolas Pepe under Arteta as Arsenal manager because he don't get regular playing with Arsenal and make him most difficult to show his talent, I think back to Nice and get back regular position just waiting time with Nicolas Pepe back to the top performance, exactly what happen with Lacazette have bad performance with Arsenal and this season he has back to top level with Lyon.
After Mikel Arteta did not include Nicolas Pepe in his plans for the 2022/2023 season, so Arsenal decided to loan Pepe to Nice. I can understand
why Arteta didn't include Pepe in his plans this season, because while playing for Arsenal and several times given the opportunity Pepe
appeared disappointing. Nicolas Pepe moved to Nice on a one-year loan and there is no option for a permanent purchase at the end of the loan.
Maybe because Arsenal who bought Pepe at a price of 72 pounds still want to use Pepe's services next season. What Arsenal did by loaning Pepe
to Nice was the right move, because at Arsenal Pepe didn't get enough playing time. So in order to increase Pepe's confidence and also so that
Pepe can rediscover his best form, it is better if Pepe is loaned to Nice. I'm sure with Nice Pepe will find his best form again, because before
joining Arsenal Pepe was playing very well with Lille. So it looks like Ligue 1 is the right competition for Pepe to be able to put out his best
performance again.