Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe has withdrawn from the Ivory Coast squad, but fortunately for the Gunners there is no injury to speak of.
According to football.london’s James Benge, both Arsenal and the Ivory Coast have agreed that the player should miss this one after a lack of pre-season.
He will now return to London and work on his fitness at Colney ahead of the return of the Premier League.
A player withdrawing from an international squad would normally be bad news for supporters, but judging by these reactions online, plenty of Arsenal fans are happy with the decision.
Twitter: @jamesbenge It’s don Raul world and we just living in it (@knowledgetree12)
Twitter: @jamesbenge Don Raul setting rules out ere (@DrumzAdeBass)
Twitter: @jamesbenge Good, it’s clear that he isn’t fully fit yet. (@afcRyan1)
Twitter: @jamesbenge That’s good, another week or so to train with Laca. (@RedWhite_Gooner)
Twitter: @jamesbenge This can only benefit Arsenal. (@shane_abs)
Twitter: @jamesbenge Fantastic news. (@SK_arsenal)
Twitter: @jamesbenge We never used to do stuff like this, it’s the small things but what makes a great club. (@lewis20003)
Twitter: @jamesbenge thats good for us (@AFC_Aman)
Read Arsenal verdict
As one fan said, this is fantastic news for Arsenal and it’s great to see both parties coming to an agreement with the player in mind.
It would have been very easy for the Ivorian federation to dig their heels in and demand that the player stays with them during the international break, especially after he has been featuring for the Gunners in the opening month of the Premier League.
While it’s a blow for them at this stage, in the long run, this will benefit the player and the Gunners.
Pepe has shown flashes of his potential during his opening games at Arsenal and supporters will be excited to see what is to come once he is fully fit.
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