Arsenal’s record 72 million pounds signings Nicolas Pepe scored two late goals to help his team rally from behind to beat Vitoria SC 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday. Manchester United, on the other hand, registered a crucial away win against FK Partizan, courtesy of a late first-half penalty from Anthony Martial.
In front of a hostile Emirates crowd, the Gunners were heading towards an embarrassing defeat when substitute Pepe netted in the 80th minute and in the stoppage time to save the blushes for the Unai Emery’s side and keep them at the top of Group F.
Free-kick 👑❓
🎯 Pépé 80
🎯 Pépé 90+3#UEL | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/EXobNZDxQR— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 24, 2019
Vitoria got off to a positive start and took an early lead when Marcus Edwards scored in the eighth minute. However, a goal from Gabriel Martnelli in the 32nd minute saw the hosts getting level. It took just four minutes for the visitors to regain their lead when Bruno Duarte scored a deflection off the goal post.
The home fans became increasingly restless and booed their own players in the break. The second half remained unconsequential till Emery substituted Alexandre Lacazette with Pepe. The Ivorian was right on mone in just his fifth minute of play as he curled in a free-kick to the back of the bottom corner of the net in the 80th minute.
The next one came in the dying moments of the game after the 24-year-old netted another spot-kick in the second minute of the stoppage time. In his first eleven appearances for the London club since leaving Lille, he had only managed one goal but announced himself in style with the late double.
Given his high-profile price-tag, he was in the wrong side of the criticism for some time now, especially with his goal drought. In Arsenal’s last match against Sheffield United, he missed one from an open net which had infuriated the fans further.
“He can gain confidence from tonight. When he scores it’s good for him and the team. He’s getting better and he helped us tonight to win this match. Pepe is a very good player and we believe in him totally. We are very happy for him and us because he has two goals and two set-pieces which are perfect,” Emery was quoted as saying by Reuters after the match.
In a Group L match between Partizan and Manchester United, the Red Devils took home a crucial away victory to keep themselves at the top of the group. A 43rd-minute penalty from Martial was enough for the Ole Gunnar Solksjaer-managed side to come on top of Partizan.