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

The Arsenal players mob hero Nicolas Pepe (Getty Images)

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.

Key Points

• Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Willock; Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Martinelli. 

[24 October 2019 21:49 · Kishan Vaghela]

GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Vitoria (Pepe 90+2)

That was simply outstanding from Pepe, who has finally arrived as an Arsenal player.

He steps up to take the free-kick and whips this one in with similar pace and power.

A brace for the Ivorian, and incredibly harsh on Vitoria.

[24 October 2019 21:51 · Kishan Vaghela]

Full Time: Arsenal 3-2 Vitoria

How have Arsenal managed to pull that one out of the bag?

The answer: Nicolas Pepe and his two stunning free-kicks ten minutes apart.

Arsenal looked lost in the first half and were deservedly behind at the break after goals from Marcus Edwards and Duarte. 

Martinelli had cancelled out Edwards' opener, but it was not until the 80th minute that they equalised again through the first Pepe free-kick.

And then he had one final push to whip in another set-play and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

[24 October 2019 21:56 · Kishan Vaghela]

[24 October 2019 21:59 · Kishan Vaghela]

Thank you for joining us tonight, as Manchester United and Arsenal both secured wins in the Europa League.

United had an Anthony Martial penalty to thank for the win in a game in which they failed to register a shot on target from open play.

Arsenal meanwhile had to come from behind twice as Nicolas Pepe stole the show with two sublime free-kicks in a 3-2 win.

Again thanks for keeping with us on this Thursday evening, and keep an eye out on the website for all the reaction.