Offering his take on the matter, former Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe emphasized that players should not be blamed for commanding high transfer fees in the market.
Amid criticism of some underperforming expensive acquisitions, Pepe voiced his support for players like Antony and Mykhailo Mudryk of Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively.
Pepe himself faced challenges at Arsenal and struggled to meet expectations following his £72 million move to the Emirates in 2019.
Addressing the scrutiny surrounding costly transfers, Pepe defended himself and his peers, stating in an interview with BBC Sport, “If Arsenal acquired me for £20m, the narrative might be different. Players do not set their own price tags at £100m or £90m. This is the reality of the football industry, a point that often gets overlooked.”
He added, “There are players like Mudryk and Antony who may not consistently shine on the field, but that does not diminish their talent.”
During his time with Arsenal, the Ivory Coast international made 112 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists in various competitions.