Arsenal flop dropped ahead of crunch match amid exit reports | OneFootball

Nicolas Pepe’s time at Trabzonspor appears to be nearing its end already after the Ivorian winger was surprisingly excluded from the squad for a crucial match against Başakşehir.

The club cited “mild pain” as the reason for his absence, but Turkish reports suggest a training session no-show and potential attitude issues may be contributing factors. With Pepe’s contract expiring this summer, his future remains uncertain, but a return to Europe seems likely.

Nicolas Pepe with the Trabzonspor fans after his arrival at the airport (Photo via Trabzonspor on Twitter)

Former Arsenal and current Trabzonspor winger Nicolas Pepe was left out of the squad for Saturday’s crucial match against Başakşehir, raising questions about his future at the club. The Ivorian international was not included in the 22-player group that travelled to Istanbul, with no clear explanation given for his absence.

Reports suggest Pepe did not participate in a training session earlier this week, leading to speculation about his commitment and fitness. Club officials have stated that he is suffering from mild pain, but this has not been confirmed.

Pepe‘s exclusion comes at a crucial time for Trabzonspor, who are vying for a third-place finish in the league and preparing for the Ziraat Turkey Cup final. The absence of a player of Pepe‘s calibre is a significant blow, particularly with Trezeguet also unavailable due to injury.

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Crystal Palace’s Ivorian striker Wilfried Zaha (L) vies with Arsenal’s French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 27, 2019. – (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

The situation has sparked rumours about Pepe‘s potential departure from the club. No official statement has been made regarding his future although it was recently reported that he would be leaving for free this summer.

Despite receiving lucrative offers from the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, Pepe is reportedly determined to continue his career in Europe.

Pepe joined Trabzonspor in 2023 after struggling to secure a regular starting position at Arsenal. During his time in Turkey, he has scored five goals and provided two assists in 21 appearances. However, injuries and international duty with the Ivory Coast limited his playing time.