Arsenal deadline transfer exit ‘wide of the mark’ with Aubameyang also set to stay

Arteta quizzed about Aubameyang as Arsenal defeat West Ham

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Arsenal reportedly have no plans to sell Nicolas Pepe in the final hours of the January transfer window. The Gunners have largely spent January cutting down their squad with a host of players sent out on loan.

Lino Sousa remains the only incoming at Arsenal this month with the 17-year-old joining from West Brom.

The likes of Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Deyan Iliev have all left on a permanent basis while others have departed on loan.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was tipped as the most high-profile exit at Arsenal this month following his falling out with Mikel Arteta.

A move to Barcelona looked to be on the cards on deadline day with Aubameyang even flying out to Spain.

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But talks have reportedly broken down with Aubameyang now set to stay at the Emirates until the summer.

Reports had also suggested that Pepe could be heading for the exit door at Arsenal having struggled for regular minutes.

The 26-year-old has only featured twice in the league since October with Arteta preferring the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe all ahead of him in the squad.

And it was reported earlier on deadline day that Arsenal would be willing to let Pepe leave on loan, despite the possibility of leaving Arteta with just 17 first-team outfield players.

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But PA now report that any suggestion of Pepe leaving before the deadline is ‘wide of the mark’.

Arteta admitted back in December that Pepe wasn’t being given enough “opportunities” to prove himself at the club.

“It’s with all the players that they are not having enough minutes,” he said.

“Obviously with the amount of games we have, there’s not enough room for all those players.

“With Nico’s situation it’s something similar. I’ve highlighted on many occasions it’s because of what I see every day. That’s with Nico as well.

“But he needs more opportunities to show what he can do and in the last few games, he hasn’t had them.”

Arsenal smashed their transfer record to sign Pepe back in 2019 in a deal worth £72million.

He showed glimpses of his talents early on, scoring in wins over West Ham and Manchester United as well as playing his part in the 2020 FA Cup win.

But Pepe has struggled for regular minutes this season and could be set to leave in the summer.

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