Arsenal boss Arteta suggests deal to replace Pepe
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Mikel Arteta said on Friday that Arsenal could sign a replacement for Nicolas Pepe after the Ivory Coast winger left the Premier League leaders to join Nice.
Pepe's loan to Ligue 1 has boosted Arsenal's chances of making another move in the transfer market before the summer window closes on September 1.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto and Arteta has admitted he can adapt his transfer philosophy after prioritizing early deals for Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko at the beginning of the window.
“We did it in a different way. At the start of the window, we signed players before we took other players out,” Arteta told reporters.
"Now we've done something different, let a player go and maybe we can sign someone.
"But it's not a guarantee because the players are still not there. What I guarantee is that the day the window closes, for me it's the best team in the world and I'll try to make the best of it, that's all."
Arsenal are the only club to boast a perfect start to the Premier League season with three straight wins.
They host Fulham on Saturday and are looking to consolidate their surprise top spot.
Pepe's departure removes a distraction after Arsenal's club record £72million failed to live up to the high price tag following his transfer from Lille in 2019.
Arteta praised Pepe's attitude during his struggles, but acknowledged the loan was the best for a player who scored 27 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.
"I think Nico tried to handle this in the best possible way, he is not responsible for the price a club pays for him," Arteta said.
"He's tried everything, his attitude is just phenomenal. You just have to meet the person because you like them the way they are.
"It's been three years and he's had some great moments, others where he hasn't really contributed in terms of minutes.
“We decided for each party that it was the best decision to allow him to leave. He needs to play minutes, he needs to play football. 'It was better if everyone did it."
Please share this story:
Mikel Arteta said on Friday that Arsenal could sign a replacement for Nicolas Pepe after the Ivory Coast winger left the Premier League leaders to join Nice.
Pepe's loan to Ligue 1 has boosted Arsenal's chances of making another move in the transfer market before the summer window closes on September 1.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto and Arteta has admitted he can adapt his transfer philosophy after prioritizing early deals for Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko at the beginning of the window.
“We did it in a different way. At the start of the window, we signed players before we took other players out,” Arteta told reporters.
"Now we've done something different, let a player go and maybe we can sign someone.
"But it's not a guarantee because the players are still not there. What I guarantee is that the day the window closes, for me it's the best team in the world and I'll try to make the best of it, that's all."
Arsenal are the only club to boast a perfect start to the Premier League season with three straight wins.
They host Fulham on Saturday and are looking to consolidate their surprise top spot.
Pepe's departure removes a distraction after Arsenal's club record £72million failed to live up to the high price tag following his transfer from Lille in 2019.
Arteta praised Pepe's attitude during his struggles, but acknowledged the loan was the best for a player who scored 27 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.
"I think Nico tried to handle this in the best possible way, he is not responsible for the price a club pays for him," Arteta said.
"He's tried everything, his attitude is just phenomenal. You just have to meet the person because you like them the way they are.
"It's been three years and he's had some great moments, others where he hasn't really contributed in terms of minutes.
“We decided for each party that it was the best decision to allow him to leave. He needs to play minutes, he needs to play football. 'It was better if everyone did it."
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