The then club-record £72m fee to sign the winger from Lille is shortly followed when the Ivory Coast international, now 29, is mentioned.
Pepe acknowledges that it is a number that he encountered difficulty in managing.
"It was exceedingly challenging." "The fans were not satisfied with my performance," he stated to BBC Sport.
"Initially, the fans were not evaluating my performances; rather, they were evaluating the price tag." However, I accomplished some remarkable feats during my tenure at Arsenal.
I have no remorse regarding my time spent there.
"But my transfer fee to the club was the highest one they'd signed, so they expected me to score in each match."
In 2019, Arsenal acquired Pepe following a remarkable season with Lille, in which he scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists. However, his strike rate in England has yet to approach that of Lille.
In 2022, he played his final game for Arsenal. Following a season-long loan at Nice, he is without a club after departing Turkish side Trabzonspor in the summer.
He had only joined the club on a free transfer from Arsenal last September.
The situation may be different if Arsenal acquired me for £20 million.
Pepe's childhood aspiration was to become a member of Arsenal, as his sibling had presented him with a shirt featuring Thierry Henry.
Even though he scored 24 goals and provided 15 assists in 91 matches during his first two seasons in English football, he maintains that his labeling as a "flop" is solely due to the 2019 fee.
"If Arsenal bought me for £20m, maybe it'd be different," he indicated. "The player is not at fault."
"They do not request £100 million or £90 million." However, that is the reality in the football world, and it is a phenomenon that is difficult for the general public to comprehend.
"There are also players like [Mykhailo] Mudryk and Antony who don't perform at their best all the time, yet they're not bad players."
"Arteta did not have complete faith in me."
Pepe expresses his gratitude for how his 2023 departure from Emirates Stadium was conducted and maintains his "respect" for manager Mikel Arteta despite his disappointing experience there.
"They helped me when leaving, which wasn't easy because I was injured, so my recovery wasn't easy... they helped me find a club quickly," he pointed out. "I certainly parted ways with the club on good terms."
"I have maintained an excellent rapport with Arteta throughout my career." Unfortunately, he did not have complete faith in me.
"Unfortunately, I was not included in the player turnover he assembled, and the team emerged victorious." However, I hold him in high regard, and I am confident he has me in the same regard. Additionally, I extend my warmest wishes to him.
Pepe currently believes that the challenging period will fortify his mental fortitude.
"With the pressure I went through at Arsenal, I'm in a pretty good headspace now," he indicated.
"I have ceased to consider it, as the accumulation of criticism has resulted in developing a thick skin." Therefore, I am now adequately equipped to handle any situation. I am in an excellent mental state.
"I am not completely dismissing the possibility of returning to England."
However, he must address his physical condition, as he explains, following his injury-plagued tenures at Trabzonspor and Nice.
"I have not participated in the preseason for two years." Also, I experience an exceptional sense of well-being when I commence the preseason. I am in excellent physical condition; however, I require it to regain my former level of speed.
Pepe appeared to be in a positive frame of mind following a meeting at his agency regarding his subsequent actions. He hopes he will soon be able to provide information regarding his next club. He is not ruling out the possibility of returning to English football to confront the detractors.
"I undoubtedly acquired a wealth of knowledge," he stated. "Certainly, I am the same player." I am maturing, which is natural; however, I remain the same player.
"I am confident in my ability to replicate my previous performances." I must perform on my physical condition, the club's confidence, and the supporters' affection. Therefore, it encompasses all of those above.
"When we observe a player performing exceptionally and scoring an abundance of goals, it is because a supportive coach, a team, and a devoted fan base surround him." Therefore, that is a critical component of a player's ability to perform well.
He also stated, "We consider all offers, and my representatives inform me of a club's genuine intentions. If the offer is not considered serious, I am not informed." Let us observe the outcome. However, I am not entirely dismissing the possibility of returning to England.
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