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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.

That's all from Belgrade. 

But our attention quickly switches to Arsenal's match at home against Vitoria, and once again there is no Mesut Ozil in the squad.

Arsenal XI: Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Willock; Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Martinelli

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 19:48

For the first time in over a month.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 19:49

Unai Emery is beginning to feel a little bit of the heat, so can his Arsenal side cool the situation down with a win here?

All set for action from the Emirates.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 19:58

1 min: Arsenal 0-0 Vitoria

The Portuguese side get the ball rolling in north London. Can Arsenal make it three out of three in the Europa League?

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:01

3 min: Arsenal 0-0 Vitoria

Arsenal looking to knock the ball around in the opening exchanges here at a subdued Emirates Stadium.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:03

4 min: Arsenal 0-0 Vitoria

Emi Martinez saves Arsenal!

Almeida rolls Rob Holding but the forward does not make good contact with the subsequent shot and the Argentine saves easily.

A warning sign for Arsenal there.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:05

Just going to leave this here...

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:07

GOAL!  Arsenal 0-1 Vitoria (Edwards 9')

They had the warning, and they failed to take notice, and the former Spurs academy man Edwards puts the Portuguese side ahead.

He receives the ball in space after more bad Arsenal defending, chops the ball inside and finishes low.

That subdued mood at Arsenal is now dead silence.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:09

10 min: Arsenal 0-1 Vitoria

Alex Lacazette has a chance for Arsenal to respond in a similar situation to his goal against Fulham at Craven Cottage last year, but this time scuffs his shot.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:11

A man under pressure.

Kishan Vaghela24 October 2019 20:12

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