Pepe Discusses His Time with Arteta at Arsenal

Nicolas Pepe has candidly shared his thoughts on his relationship with Mikel Arteta during his tenure at Arsenal, revealing that he has no regrets about leaving the club. After joining Arsenal for a record fee of £72.5 million in 2019, Pepe struggled to find his footing in the Premier League, scoring 27 goals in 112 appearances before being sidelined as Arteta restructured the squad.

In an interview with Flashscore, Pepe expressed his frustrations regarding the lack of communication with Arteta, which he believes hindered his performance. "First, it’s different. These two managers are really different," Pepe stated, contrasting Arteta's coaching style with that of his current manager at Villarreal, Marcelino Garcia Toral. "With Arteta, it was tough at times because we didn’t communicate enough, and that’s what I regret the most."

Pepe emphasized the importance of transparency in a coach-player relationship, stating, "I always say that I prefer a coach who is totally transparent with me, whether it’s the right or the wrong side. It allows me to move forward and progress." This open dialogue with Marcelino has made a significant difference for Pepe, who feels more at ease discussing various topics, both on and off the pitch.

The 30-year-old winger has enjoyed a more fruitful spell at Villarreal, contributing five goals and four assists in 29 La Liga appearances this season. He noted the contrasting styles of play between the Premier League and La Liga, saying, "It’s totally different in terms of intensity of play. In the Premier League, we were very much focused on the intensity, whereas in Spain, we are more relaxed. The idea of playing is to play the ball."

Pepe also praised the atmosphere in English stadiums, stating, "You can go to the third or fourth division, and you will have stadiums that are filled with incredible atmosphere." He acknowledged that while Spanish stadiums also have their charm, they offer a different experience.

As he continues to adapt to his new environment, Pepe remains focused on making the most of his time at Villarreal, where he feels he can thrive under a coach who values communication and understanding.