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As it happenedended

Arsenal vs Vitoria LIVE result: Score, goals and latest updates from the Europa League

The Gunners extended their perfect start to the Europa League – just

Kishan Vaghela
Thursday 24 October 2019 16:57 EDT
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The Arsenal players mob hero Nicolas Pepe
The Arsenal players mob hero Nicolas Pepe (Getty Images)

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Arsenal's club-record signing Nicolas Pepe stepped off the bench to score two free-kicks and seal a Europa League comeback win over Vitoria and spare the blushes of under-fire head coach Unai Emery.

After losing at Sheffield United on Monday night, Emery launched an impassioned defence of his tenure as Gunners boss on the eve of the Group F clash - but what followed was as below-par performance rescued by the brilliance of his £72million man, who struck a fine brace to earn a 3-2 win.

Without a goal from their first two games and with no away win in Europe since 2005, Vitoria stunned the Emirates Stadium as former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards opened the scoring before Bruno Duarte restored the lead following Gabriel Martinelli's equaliser.

With more than one "Emery Out" banner displayed and the crowd singing for Mesut Ozil - again absent from the matchday squad - it was clear Emery's calls for patience from supporters had largely fallen on deaf ears but the stadium erupted as Pepe curled in two wonderful free-kicks in the final 10 minutes.

PA

Odds​

Arsenal win 1/4

Draw 5/1

Vitoria win 11/1

Prediction

Arsenal should be able to beat a Vitoria team that has lost both of its Europa League games so far, though the Portuguese side are in better form domestically.

2-1 is our prediction

When is it?

Kick off at the Emirates Stadium is 8pm BST.

How can I watch it?

The game will be aired live on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 8pm.

Subscribers to BT Sport can watch the game online via the BT Sport player, or on the BT Sport app.

15 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

Big chance for McTominay!

This is a wonderful ball in from Juan Mata from the free-kick on the right-hand side, and it is perfectly weighted and is a great height for the onrushing midfielder.

But he fluffs his lines and doesn;t get enough contact on the header and United spurn their first big chance of the evening.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:11

18 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

United now offering more of an attacking threat after weathering a couple of Partizan breaks early on.

Can they fashion another couple of opportunities to ram home their good spell of possession?

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:15

22 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

There's a certain amount of swagger about this United performance so far even if they have not got the goals to match as McTominay goes for goal once again.

This time it is a shot on the turn but he skews his effort harmlessly wide after more good play from Mata.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:18

A key battle tonight in Belgrade.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:19

27 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

Asano may not be the finished product by any stretch of the imagination, but he has caused a fair few problems when running at the United defence with pace.

Arsenal obviously saw that when they purchased him even if he never made an appearance for the club.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:24

29 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

James Garner has made his first noticeable contribution by stopping a swift Partizan counter, very reminiscent of Nemanja Matic in his Chelsea days.

Will he be the Serbian's eventual long-term replacement?

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:26

Not that you would know it from this performance so far...

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:27

Two of the players most involved in proceedings so far tonight.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:28

34 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

A couple of Partizan corners in quick succession has increased the noise at at an already hostile stadium for Manchester United.

However, the hosts waste the opportunities. Sort of sums the game up so far in all honesty.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:30

37 min: Partizan 0-0 Manchester United

United hit the post!

Jesse Lingard is so unlucky here as he sorts his feet out quickly near the edge of the area before prodding an effort against the woodwork with the Partizan keeper beaten.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 18:34

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