Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe wasn't everyone's favourite roommate
Nicolas Pepe
Nicolas Pepe left teammates begging to switch rooms(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe left two teammates pleading to change rooms because of his unbearable nighttime habit. Pepe joined the Gunners in August 2019 from Lille for a then club-record £72 million, only to struggle to adapt to the Premier League before being usurped on the right flank by Bukayo Saka.
Nevertheless, he has been a key man for the Ivory Coast, playing alongside a host of Premier League stars, including Wilfried Zaha and Salomon Kalou, formerly of Crystal Palace and Chelsea, respectively.
The pair found themselves room-sharing with Pepe, only to be kept awake by his 'motorbike-like' snoring. Zaha once told the OnTheJudy podcast: "Oh my days, Nicolas Pepe!
"I asked to leave the room. I went and asked to leave the room because he sounded like a motorbike.
"It was mad. Bro, it was crazy. I was like, 'No, I can't.' They let me move and share rooms with Kalou, Salomon Kalou. And he was like, 'Bro, I know. I moved myself.'"
Pep arrived at the Emirates Stadium with massive expectations but showed only occasional flashes of brilliance. They included scoring two late free-kicks against Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League and assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's winning goal in the 2020 FA Cup Final against Chelsea.
Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha
Pepe and Wilfried Zaha were rivals in the Premier League and teammates on the international stage(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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His best campaign came in 2020–21, when he scored 16 goals across all competitions. But overall, he struggled for consistency, and when Saka emerged as the undisputed starter under Mikel Arteta, his playing time diminished.
The now 31-year-old was loaned out to Nice in 2022 before joining Trabzonspor on a permanent deal the following year. After one season in Turkey, he was on his travels again, joining Villarreal, where he remains.
Nicolas Pepe playing for Lille
Pepe during his Lille days(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Pep will no doubt be keeping a close eye on proceedings when two of his former clubs meet in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
While the Gunners resumed their season with a come-from-behind win over Leeds on Saturday, Lille defeated Le Harve 1-0 to keep up the pressure on early leaders Monaco, who were held by Toulouse. Meanwhile, Lille made a losing start to their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 home defeat to Real Betis.