Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe returned to the Emirates to dent his old side’s preparations for the new campaign.
The Ivory Coast international scored the opening goal for Villarreal in their pre-season clash against the Gunners in north London on Wednesday night.
Pepe, who left Arsenal last July, almost five years after joining the club in a then-record transfer deal worth £72million, prodded home from close range to silence the majority of the Emirates crowd and even incense some supporters who had met his every touch with boos.
The 30-year-old, who made a total of 112 appearances for the side and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2020, did not celebrate after giving the LaLiga outfit the lead.
Having stepped out of the spotlight after departing the Gunners, Pepe has attracted most attention for his relationship with former adult film star Teanna Trump.
Trump seemingly confirmed her relationship with the Ivorian after sharing a picture of them together at dinner last December. Pepe had been married to French social media influencer Fanny B but confirmed that split before being spotted with Trump.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe returned to the Emirates to dent his old side’s preparations for the new campaign
The 30-year-old prodded home from close range to silence the majority of the Emirates crowd
Pepe made a total of 112 appearances for the side and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2020
In May, Trump confirmed that they are living together, following the release of a video she posted showing her doing the laundry. The 29-year-old, in a video posted on Snapchat, joked: ‘Crazy how I switched jobs so quick. I was a pornstar, now I’m a maid.’
Pepe was first was spotted on a date with Trump last year, sparking rumours that he had split with his long-time partner with whom he shares two children.
They have dropped several subtle hints about their budding romance on their social media platforms and went public for the very first time last November.
Trump has been pictured wearing a Villarreal shirt and sitting in the VIP section at the club’s Estadio de la Ceramica ground.
She has also spent time with Pepe’s children, and shared photos on her Snapchat, while the player revealed that Trump is also the image on his phone’s lock screen.
