Mikel Arteta is hopeful of implementing Arsenal's plan to replace Nicolas Pepe before the summer transfer window closes.
It was announced on Thursday evening that the £72m-club record signing had completed a loan move to Ligue 1 side OGC Nice with the Spaniard confirming the reason behind the decision was to give the winger some game time having been used sparingly since the beginning of last season.
"It’s been three years and he some good moments, some others where he hasn’t really contributed much in terms of minutes," Arteta revealed in his press conference ahead of Arsenal vs Fulham. "We decided for every party it was the best decision to allow him to go. He needs to play football."
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Nicolas Pepe's exit, transfer plans and Hector Bellerin's future
Whilst Pepe was by no means a regular in the Gunners side, his departure does leave his parent club a little short in the wide areas with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli the most natural options, whilst Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah can all operate on the flanks if required.
Summer signing Marquinhos could also be in contention to benefit from Pepe's exit. The same applies to Reiss Nelson once he returns from injury and if he's still at the club after next week's deadline.
Of course, the popular option, certainly amongst many Arsenal fans, would be for Arteta and technical director Edu to dip into the transfer market to sign a direct replacement for Pepe amid talks with Wolves for Pedro Neto as well as links to Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha and Bayer Leverkusen youngster Moussa Diaby.
Without mentioning any transfer targets by name, the Gunners boss did reveal there is a plan in place to ensure his squad isn't left too light following the Ivory Coast international's departure - but did stress that there is no guarantee that the aforementioned plan will be successful.
"If we can implement the plan that we have, we will try to do [it]. In that plan, that [Pepe leaving] was something that could happen," Arteta added. "Now it is a reality and we have been preparing the last two months in order to achieve what we want. Whether that is possible or not, we will see."
Now with Wolves said to be demanding £50m for Pedro Neto, there's a possibility Arsenal won't be able to reach an agreement in the remaining days of the transfer window, which would mean no major signing in the wide areas. If this turns out to be the case, Arteta has guaranteed he will have the 'best team in the world' whatever shape the squad is in after deadline day.
"We have done it in a different way," he said when asked if his squad will be strong enough to compete on all fronts if Pepe is not replaced externally. "At the start of the window we signed players before getting other players out. Now we have done something different, we have let a player go and maybe [we’ll] be able to recruit somebody.
"But it’s not a guarantee because the players are still not here. What I guarantee is the day the window closes, for me this is the best team in the world and I will try to get the best out of them, that’s it."
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