Nicolas Pepe joined Arsenal in 2019 for a then-club record fee of €80 million (£72m/$87m) after a stellar performance at Lille. The Ivorian winger came with high expectations, but his time at the Emirates Stadium fell short of what many had hoped for, leading to significant criticism.
Pepe’s Reflection on His Arsenal Experience
In a candid interview with L’Equipe, Pepe opened up about the difficulties he faced during his tenure at Arsenal. He revealed that his passion for football was deeply affected by the pressure and criticism he received.
“A Kind of Trauma”
Pepe described his experience at Arsenal as traumatic. “At Arsenal, I had suffered a kind of trauma, as if my passion had been taken away from me, I had a distaste for football. By no longer playing, I wondered why I was doing this job. I doubted to the point that I thought about stopping everything,” he said.
Handling the Pressure
Reflecting on the immense pressure to perform, Pepe mentioned, “I wondered how they could have attacked me so much. People went so far as to call me the biggest flop in the history of the Premier League! I didn’t ask for €80m to be spent on me. At this amount, people don’t care where you come from, they want you to perform directly.”
Pepe acknowledged the unrealistic expectations placed on him, especially given his role. “There aren’t many players who immediately score 25 goals per season, and I’m not even a No9. I wasn’t going to play in the Premier League like that. But that’s what earned me this flood of criticism. It was almost harassment.”
Impact of Criticism
The constant criticism, both from social media and within the club, took a toll on Pepe. He shared, “I don’t look at social media a lot, but if my brother relayed to me ‘they said that about you’, unconsciously, it touched me. It also came from the media or certain members of the club. They don’t realize that it can have an impact on the mind, on the family, and that has repercussions on performance.”
Support from the Fans
Despite the challenges, Pepe highlighted the unwavering support he received from Arsenal fans. “The only people who have always supported me are Arsenal fans,” he noted, appreciating their loyalty during his difficult times.
Nicolas Pepe’s candid reflections shed light on the immense pressures footballers face, particularly when high transfer fees and expectations are involved. His experience at Arsenal serves as a reminder of the human side of professional sports and the importance of mental health. While his time at the Emirates may not have gone as planned, Pepe’s journey highlights the complexities and challenges faced by players in top-tier football.