Arteta reveals why Arsenal made the decision to terminate the contract of an important player

In a recent interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on the club’s decision to terminate the contract of Nicolas Pepe, explaining that it was a mutual agreement for the benefit of both parties involved. Arteta praised Pepe’s effort and acknowledged that the hefty price tag placed on the player was not his fault.

“I wasn’t involved in the process of that deal,” Arteta said as per The Standard. “But what I can say is that he was a phenomenal boy who tried really hard and tried his best, so it’s not his fault the amount of money we paid at the time.”

Pepe, who is now 28 years old, joined Arsenal in 2019 for a club-record fee of £72 million. However, despite showing glimpses of his talent, the Ivorian winger struggled to consistently perform at his best for the Gunners. As a result, both the club and the player agreed that it was time to part ways.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

“When things aren’t working, you have to move on,” Arteta explained. “There is no point trying something when it’s not working for either, so I think it’s best for both parties.”

The decision to terminate Pepe’s contract allows him to seek new opportunities elsewhere, while also freeing up resources for Arsenal to invest in other areas of the squad. Arteta’s comments suggest that there are no hard feelings towards Pepe and that the decision was made with the best interests of everyone involved in mind.

While Pepe’s time at Arsenal may not have lived up to expectations, Arteta’s words reflect a level of respect and appreciation for the player’s efforts. As the club moves on from this chapter, fans can expect Arteta and his team to focus on building a squad that can deliver the desired results on the pitch.