Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe, the club’s former record signing, finds his rooming assignments on away days a topic of discussion, due to his apparently significant snoring problem.

• Arsenal’s former record signing Nicolas Pepe faces an unusual rooming problem during away games due to his snoring, leading to discomfort among teammates.
• Former teammate Wilfried Zaha reveals that many Ivorian national team players, including himself and ex-Chelsea star Salomon Kalou, had requested room changes to avoid Pepe’s noisy nocturnal habit.
• Pepe’s situation at Arsenal remains uncertain, with his on-field contributions not justifying his hefty price tag, and off-field issues like these further complicating matters.

Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe and the unusual rooming saga

Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe has had a challenging time fitting into the team ever since his arrival as the club’s then-record signing.

Beyond his on-field performances, Pepe’s integration has been impacted by an unexpected rooming issue on away days.

How Pepe’s snoring turned into a rooming issue

During away games that require hotel stays, the process of room allocation can often lead to interesting stories and revelations among teammates.

One such tale involves the Ivorian international and his rather significant snoring problem.

According to Wilfried Zaha, Pepe’s former teammate in the Ivorian national team, many players sought to switch rooms to escape the cacophony.

Zaha’s anecdote about Pepe’s rooming difficulties offers a different perspective on the winger’s life off the pitch.

He reveals, “Oh my days, Nicolas Pepe. Nicolas Pepe, 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.”

Teammate reactions to Pepe’s rooming issue

Zaha was not the only one affected by Pepe’s noisy slumbers.

Even Salomon Kalou, the ex-Chelsea star, sought refuge in a quieter room when on international duty with the Ivory Coast squad.

Zaha recounts the experience, “They let me move and share rooms with Kalou, Salomon Kalou. And he was like, ‘Bro, I know. I moved myself.'”

Pepe’s uncertain future at Arsenal

While the rooming issue presents a somewhat amusing side to Pepe’s journey at Arsenal, it also casts a spotlight on the challenges he faces off the pitch.

His on-field performances haven’t yet justified his £72m fee, and these off-field distractions certainly do not help his case.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently addressed the club’s plans for their expensive winger.

Unfortunately for Pepe, he didn’t accompany the team for the pre-season tour in the United States due to an injury, casting further doubts on his future at the club.

As things stand, it remains to be seen how Pepe’s situation at Arsenal will evolve – both on and off the pitch.

There is plenty of talk about the club cancelling his contract in order to move him on, writing off the inflated fee they paid for him – and are still paying off!

While these challenges may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of professional football, they could potentially influence a player’s comfort, camaraderie, and overall experience within the team.