Nicolas Pepe admits it "wasn't easy" to come to terms with leaving Arsenal, believing many judged his performances in the Premier League on his £72million price tag.
Pepe, who joined Arsenal from Lille in 2019, completed a permanent switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor last year, leaving the Emirates on a free transfer.
The Ivorian's arrival in North London came with great expectations, having become the club's most expensive signing, surpassing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's £56m move from Borussia Dortmund.
That has since been eclipsed by Declan Rice's £100m move from West Ham last year, but the England midfielder flourished in his first season with the Gunners.
Pepe made 112 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists during his four-year stay in the Premier League.
"It wasn't easy at all. And the fans weren't happy with how I was performing," Pepe told BBC Sport about his struggles.
"When I first joined, the fans weren't really judging my performances, they were judging the price tag. But I think I did some great things while at Arsenal.
"I don't regret my time there. But my transfer fee to the club was the highest one they'd signed, so they expected me to score in each match."
The Premier League has seen an influx of inflated fees in recent years, with an estimated £1.5billion spent on player transfers during the 2023-24 season.
Pepe was keen to stress the fees paid by Premier League clubs are nothing to do with the players.
"If Arsenal bought me for £20m, maybe it'd be different," he said. "It's not the player's fault.
"They don't ask for £100m or £90m. But that's how it is in the football world and it's something that people can't understand.
"There are also players like [Mykhailo] Mudryk and Antony who don't perform at their best all the time, and yet they're not bad players."
Mikel Arteta's side are currently in the United States for pre-season as they aim to halt Manchester City's reign as Premier League champions next season.
Arsenal finished second behind City last term, accumulating 89 points, their highest total since their last triumph in the competition during the 2003-04 campaign.
Arteta hints at Smith Rowe exit from Arsenal following Bournemouth omission
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Emile Smith Rowe is nearing a move away from Arsenal after not being involved in their pre-season friendly against Bournemouth on Thursday.
Arsenal needed penalties to get past Andoni Iraola's side in Los Angeles, with Fabio Vieira's strike cancelled out by Antoine Semenyo's deflected effort.
Smith Rowe was due to feature at Dignity Health Sports Park after being listed among the substitutes, but remained on the bench for the entirety of the encounter.
The 23-year-old, who has made 115 appearances for Arsenal, is poised to complete a £35million move to Fulham, as reported by David Ornstein.
Fulham are in the market for a new midfielder, having allowed Joao Palhinha to depart for Bayern Munich earlier this month in a reported £47.4million deal.
"There are things happening in the background at the moment and we decided the best thing to do was keep him away from the game today," Arteta said on Smith Rowe not being involved against Bournemouth.
Smith Rowe's potential departure to Craven Cottage will mark a record for both sides.
Fulham are set to smash their £25million transfer record paid for Jean Michael Seri in 2018, with Arsenal matching their biggest sale since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's £35million switch to Liverpool.
More departures are expected ahead of the Gunners' opening game of the Premier League season against Wolves, with Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson likely to complete moves away from the club.
Nketiah, who captained the side against Bournemouth on Thursday, has been linked with a switch to Marseille, while Nelson is of interest to newly-promoted Leicester.
"A lot of players have been linked with potential moves; one way or the other, it’s normal," Arteta said on the pair's future at the club.
"We are in that moment in the market. What I really like are the players that we have, with the level that they are showing and especially the commitment that you can see in those two, just the way they have performed."
Arteta hints at Smith Rowe exit from Arsenal following Bournemouth friendly
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Emile Smith Rowe is nearing a move away from Arsenal after not being involved in their pre-season friendly against Bournemouth on Thursday.
Arsenal needed penalties to get past Andoni Iraola's side in Los Angeles, with Fabio Vieira's strike cancelled out by Antoine Semenyo's deflected effort.
Smith Rowe was due to feature at Dignity Health Sports Park after being listed among the substitutes, but remained on the bench for the entirety of the encounter.
The 23-year-old, who has made 115 appearances for Arsenal, is poised to complete a £35million move to Fulham, as reported by David Ornstein.
Fulham are in the market for a new midfielder, having allowed Joao Palhinha to depart for Bayern Munich earlier this month in a reported £47.4million deal.
"There are things happening in the background at the moment and we decided the best thing to do was keep him away from the game today," Arteta said on Smith Rowe not being involved against Bournemouth.
Smith Rowe's potential departure to Craven Cottage will mark a record for both sides.
Fulham are set to smash their £25million transfer record paid for Jean Michael Seri in 2018, with Arsenal matching their biggest sale since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's £35million switch to Liverpool.
More departures are expected ahead of the Gunners' opening game of the Premier League season against Wolves, with Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson likely to complete moves away from the club.
Nketiah, who captained the side against Bournemouth on Thursday, has been linked with a switch to Marseille, while Nelson is of interest to newly-promoted Leicester.
"A lot of players have been linked with potential moves; one way or the other, it’s normal," Arteta said on the pair's future at the club.
"We are in that moment in the market. What I really like are the players that we have, with the level that they are showing and especially the commitment that you can see in those two, just the way they have performed."
Onana ready to take Aston Villa to the top following Everton switch
Amadou Onana is aiming to take Aston Villa to the top following the completion of his transfer from Everton on Monday.
Onana, who became Unai Emery's eighth signing this transfer window, signed a five-year contract in a deal worth £50million.
The 22-year-old will serve as a replacement for the departing Douglas Luiz, who completed a £42.35million switch to Juventus last month.
Onana featured in all four of Belgium's Euro 2024 fixtures in Germany, and made 72 appearances for Everton during his two-year stint at Goodison Park.
Villa are competing in the Champions League for the first time this season following their fourth place finish in the Premier League.
And Onana is keen to build on the foundations laid by Emery at Villa Park as he looks to bring success back to the West Midlands.
"To take what I can and help bring this football club to the top," Onana told Aston Villa's official website on his ambitions upon his arrival at the club.
"I think they had a tremendous season last year, and we have to surf on that vibe and try to compete for the top."
The Belgian international was linked with a before his switch to Villa, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all interested in his services.
However, Onana was able to list several positives of choosing to play his football under Emery, someone he described as "one of the best in the business".
"It was a bit of everything. It is a healthy atmosphere here for me to grow as a player, but also as a man," Onana told Aston Villa's official website.
"You guys played some very attractive football last season, loads of goals, and we will be playing in the Champions League next season.
"Those are some of the things that are very exciting with a manager who is, for me, one of the best in the business and I think he can take my game to the next level."
Onana has previously featured in the Champions League, making eight appearances during his time with Lille.
Having helped Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League over the past two years, Onana is looking forward to playing among Europe's elite once again.
"I think Champions League nights are different from any other night," Onana said. "It is a special feeling walking out to that Champions League song."
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