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Nicolas Pepe refusing to celebrate in front of booing Arsenal fans was utterly ridiculous
Nicolas Pepe made an eventful return to Arsenal on Wednesday night. The winger was back at the Emirates Stadium as Villarreal visited for a pre-season friendly against the Gunners. GettyPepe was booed by Arsenal fans on his return to the Emirates Stadium[/caption] GettyThe winger responded by scoring for Villarreal in their pre-season victory over the Gunners[/caption] Pepe opened the scoring in a 3-2 win for the Spanish side before they also beat their hosts in a post-match penalty shootout. The Ivorian international spent four years with the Gunners after arriving for a then club record £72million fee in 2019. However, he failed to recapture the form he had shone for previous side Lille prior to the move. Despite that, he was a member of the FA Cup-winning side in 2020 which remains Mikel Arteta’s only major trophy as manager. Arsenal fans were in no mood for sentiment on Wednesday, though, as a section of the crowd booed their former player. Pepe was also jeered after scoring, although the 30-year-old refused to celebrate and instead held his hands up apologetically. The incident confused talkSPORT host Olivia Buzaglo after hearing of the reception Pepe received. Reacting on Early Sports Breakfast, she said: “Someone needs to explain to me why on earth Nicolas Pepe got booed in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates. “It’s one of the most bizarre things. I mean, I didn’t watch the game, but I know a section of the Arsenal fans booed him. Why?” Buzaglo continued: “I need some Arsenal fans to explain why that happened. And also, again, this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen. GettyPepe refused to celebrate after opening the scoring for the Spanish outfit[/caption] The Ivorian spent four years with Arsenal after becoming their club record signingGetty “Nicolas Pepe, when he played for Arsenal, the Arsenal fans didn’t treat him very nicely at all. “He got booed when he played for them, and he helped them win an FA Cup. Then he got booed again yesterday. “Then he scored for Villarreal and what did he do? (Holds hands up) I actually can’t (understand). I can’t. I have a real thing with players not celebrating against former clubs like that. I don’t understand. “It’s a pre-season friendly. You’re not probably going to celebrate anyway, but was there really any need to do that? I don’t really know. “I remember Conor Gallagher did it. He scored a 90th minute winner for Chelsea against Palace and didn’t celebrate. “And I was like, ‘well, you spent a year on loan at a club. It’s not like you spent ten years at a club and you’re suddenly playing against them.’” Pepe made 112 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists. He departed on a free transfer in 2023, joining Turkish side Trabzonspor. Villarreal subsequently signed him last summer, with Pepe going on to score three times in 28 matches in his debut season. The Yellow Submarine finished fifth in La Liga last term to qualify for the Champions League, where they could face Arsenal again.
Nicolas Pepe made an eventful return to Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The winger was back at the Emirates Stadium as Villarreal visited for a pre-season friendly against the Gunners.
Pepe opened the scoring in a 3-2 win for the Spanish side before they also beat their hosts in a post-match penalty shootout.
The Ivorian international spent four years with the Gunners after arriving for a then club record £72million fee in 2019.
However, he failed to recapture the form he had shone for previous side Lille prior to the move.
Despite that, he was a member of the FA Cup-winning side in 2020 which remains Mikel Arteta’s only major trophy as manager.
Arsenal fans were in no mood for sentiment on Wednesday, though, as a section of the crowd booed their former player.
Pepe was also jeered after scoring, although the 30-year-old refused to celebrate and instead held his hands up apologetically.
The incident confused talkSPORT host Olivia Buzaglo after hearing of the reception Pepe received.
Reacting on Early Sports Breakfast, she said: “Someone needs to explain to me why on earth Nicolas Pepe got booed in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates.
“It’s one of the most bizarre things. I mean, I didn’t watch the game, but I know a section of the Arsenal fans booed him. Why?”
Buzaglo continued: “I need some Arsenal fans to explain why that happened. And also, again, this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen.
“Nicolas Pepe, when he played for Arsenal, the Arsenal fans didn’t treat him very nicely at all.
“He got booed when he played for them, and he helped them win an FA Cup. Then he got booed again yesterday.
“Then he scored for Villarreal and what did he do? (Holds hands up) I actually can’t (understand). I can’t. I have a real thing with players not celebrating against former clubs like that. I don’t understand.
“It’s a pre-season friendly. You’re not probably going to celebrate anyway, but was there really any need to do that? I don’t really know.
“I remember Conor Gallagher did it. He scored a 90th minute winner for Chelsea against Palace and didn’t celebrate.
“And I was like, ‘well, you spent a year on loan at a club. It’s not like you spent ten years at a club and you’re suddenly playing against them.’”
Pepe made 112 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists.
He departed on a free transfer in 2023, joining Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Villarreal subsequently signed him last summer, with Pepe going on to score three times in 28 matches in his debut season.
The Yellow Submarine finished fifth in La Liga last term to qualify for the Champions League, where they could face Arsenal again.
