Europa League: Arsenal vs Vitoria SC Player Ratings & Result

Arsenal manager Unai Emery heaved a sigh of relief as the Premier League club laboured to victory in their Europa League clash against Vitoria SC on Thursday. The game was played at the Emirates Stadium, so it was only fitting that the visitors took the lead through former Tottenham winger, Marcus Edwards. Edwards, who departed Arsenal's North London rivals in September this year, danced through the Arsenal defence to put the visitors forward as early as in the eighth minute. Edwards celebrated the goal by sliding on his knees in front of the home supporters. The former Tottenham winger is clear not a fan of subtlety. 

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Even though Arsenal were playing at home, you would be forgiven to think that the game was being played at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques Stadium. Emery opted to field a backline of new faces, as Shkodran Mustafi, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney started together for the first time this season. Arsenal came into the game on the back of some questionable form, having succumbed to a 0-1 defeat to Sheffield United in their last Premier League game. 

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Vitoria SC's lead lasted over the half-hour mark, but new signing Kieran Tierney had other plans. The former Celtic left-back crossed for Gabriel Martinelli to head in Arsenal's equaliser on the 32nd minute. Parity lasted for just five minutes. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was dispossessed and the attack that followed led to an effort from Vitoria's Davidson, which struck the post. Bruno Duarte, however, was there to net the rebound. On came Dani Ceballos and Mateo Guendouzi at half time, and, as if on cue, Arsenal asserted more dominance in the game. But Ceballos and Guendouzi, despite all their efforts, weren't going to be the game-changers. 

Nicolas Pepe came on for the hosts in the just after the hour-mark. Not even Emery could have predicted that the Ivory Coast winger would have such an impact. Pepe netted two sublime freekicks to swing the game in Arsenal's favour, as the contest ended at 3-2 after the final whistle. Here are the player ratings from the game - 

Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez - 6/10

Kieran Tierney - 7.5/10

Rob Holding - 6/10

Shkodran Mustafi - 7/10

Hector Bellerin - 6/10

Joseph Willock - 6.5/10

Lucas Torreira - 7/10

Gabriel Martinelli - 8/10

Emile Smith-Rowe - 7.5/10

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 5/10

Alexandre Lacazette - 6/10

Subs | Dani Ceballos - 6.5/10, Mateo Guendouzi - 7/10, Nicolas Pepe - 8.5/10

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Vitoria SC

Miguel Silva - 5.5/10

Victor Garcia - 6.5/10

Frederico Venancio - 7/10

Edmond Tapsoba - 7.5/10

Florent Hanin - 6/10

Andre Almeida - 6.5/10

Mikel Agu - 7/10

Denis Will Poha - 6.5/10

Marcus Edwards - 7/10

Bruno Duarte - 6.5/10

Davidson - 7/10

Subs | Pepe - 6/10, Andre Pereira - 5.5/10, Rochinha - N/A

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