Nicolas Pepe sends blunt seven-word message to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as he questions decisions

Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe insists he “could have been important for the club” this season after being sent out on loan to Ligue 1 side Nice last August.

The 27-year-old joined the Gunners for a club-record fee of £72m in August 2019 from Lille. He went on to play 112 games, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists.

He joined Nice on a season-long last summer. There was no option to buy in the deal and Pepe feels he could have played an important role in Arsenal’s title charge this season.

The Gunners hold a healthy lead over reigning champions Man City in the race for the Premier League title as they seek to claim their first league title since 2004, and a second major trophy under Mikel Arteta.

Pepe said: “I don’t know what Arsenal want. I still have a lot of friends there. I could have been important for the club, but those are the coach’s choices.”

It is uncertain what the future holds for Pepe, who says he is focused on finishing the season strongly with Nice. He has one year remaining on his Arsenalcontract come the end of the campaign.

He has made 25 appearances for Nice, scoring eight goals and providing one assist.

He added: “I am very happy at Nice. There are two important months to come for this club. I want to concentrate on that and I’m not sure after that. There will be discussions.”