Nicolas Pepe shows true colours with perfect two-word message after Arsenal return

Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has responded to his return to the Emirates Stadium with a perfectly-put message on social media.

The 30-year-old spent four years with Arsenal after joining from French side Lille in the summer of 2019 for what was a club record £72 million.

He would spend his final season at the club out on loan with OGC Nice as his Gunners career fizzled out.

During his time at the Emirates Stadium, the winger played 112 times, scoring 27 goals and providing a further 21 assists.

He joined Turkish side Trabzonsport on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, but spent just one season at the club before joining Villarreal last year.

Pepe returned to Arsenal for the first time since moving away from the club when his Villarreal side came to the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday night’s pre-season friendly .

The game ended in a 3-2 defeat for Arsenal with Pepe scoring Villarreal’s opening goal.

The Ivory Coast international played 77 minutes of the game before being replaced by Pau Cabanes.

Following the match, he took to Instagram to send a message. Sharing four pictures from the game, he added a caption reading: “Back home,” with a praying hands emoji.

The post was ‘liked’ by former Arsenal teammate Granit Xhaka. The midfielder will also return to the Emirates Stadium this season, having completed a transfer to newly-promoted side Sunderland.

Pepe further showed his respect to his former club by refusing to celebrate his goal and instead put his hands above his head. That led to supporters showing their appreciation with applause when Pep’s name was read out by the stadium announcer.

Last season saw the winger play 28 times for Villarreal, in which he scored three goals and provided six assists.