Time is running out for Nicolas Pepe to make a return to action before his loan spell at Nice comes to an end.
The winger, who is still contracted to Arsenal until at least the summer of 2024, joined the Ligue 1 outfit towards the end of last summer's transfer window having failed to make a single appearance in any of the opening three Premier League games of the new campaign.
And in truth, up until the end of the January transfer window, Pepe had been making the most of regular game time by netting eight goals in 23 appearances across all competitions.
READ MORE: Arsenal showing strong interest in Mohamed Simakan transfer as Edu looks for defensive signing
However, after suffering from "tendonitis" in his knee following the goalless draw with Reims, the Ivory Coast international subsequently missed the next nine games in a row and made his return as a substitute in the Europa Conference League last-16 second leg win over FC Sheriff on March 16.
Pepe then made his first Nice start in two months against Lorient three days later before featuring in further Ligue 1 games against Angers and Paris Saint-Germain as well as coming off the bench as the French side crashed out of Europe at the hands of Basel after extra-time.
That remains his last appearance to date as another knee injury has seen him miss the last four games in succession with Nice boss Didier Digard, as per the club's official website, confirming the Gunners winger will once again be unavailable for selection against Strasbourg this weekend.
Now, as one of several Arsenal loanees that can command a fee at the end of the season, assuming he has no long-term future under Mikel Arteta, the ideal scenario would have been for Pepe to rediscover his best form pre-injury at the beginning of the year to put himself in the shop window.
Of course, there's a chance it can still happen but with only three games remaining of the campaign after this weekend's round of matches it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will have enough time to, perhaps, convince the decision-makers at Nice to turn his loan deal into a permanent one.
With that said, it would appear that Pepe won't be figuring into Arteta's plans at Arsenal ahead of the new season. A clear indication of this is largely down to the fact that his number 19 shirt number was handed to Leandro Trossard upon arrival in the January transfer window.
Whilst the Gunners are unlikely to recoup anything close to the £72m fee they paid to sign the winger almost four years ago, his valuation will have improved based on his early and consistent form in Nice colours, so that should lead to a nice windfall if a decision is made to part ways in the summer.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Zinchenko's injury, Xhaka's contract and Ramsdale
Joao Cancelo gives Mikel Arteta clear Arsenal transfer warning with Man City admission
Brighton handed huge blow as star player set to miss Arsenal clash amid Mikel Arteta title race
Arsenal can save £120m on Declan Rice deal with free transfer for the 'next Ilkay Gundogan'
Transfer news LIVE: Latest news, views and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
