Welcome to theEvening Standard‘sEuropa Leaguecoverage of Vitoria vs Arsenal LIVE at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.
The Gunners are in action this afternoon instead of Thursday’s usual slot looking to make it four wins from four in Europe this season.
Granit Xhaka will not feature tonight after being stripped of the captain’s armband on Tuesday. Mesut Ozil, David Luiz and new permanent skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also not made the trip.
A win for Arsenal tonight will confirm they place in the Europa League last (should Standard Liege fail to beat Frankfurt.)
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Live Updates
This has been everything you might expect from a game that kicked off before 4pm on a weekday …
40 mins:Sharp defending from Sokratis as Lucas Evangelista flicks in behind with a lovely little backheel, and Davidson is almost onto it, but the Greek defender smashes clear.
ES COVERAGE
Simon Collings is at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
The Arsenal bench did not like that tackle on Pepe one bit. Guendouzi and Kolasinac leapt up to protest with the fourth official, before assistant coach Carcedo waded in too. Perhaps it can be a way of sparking Arsenal into life.
YELLOW CARD
33 mins:Things leveled up on the bookings front as Rafa Soares piles through Pepe late. No complaints.
ES COVERAGE
Simon Collings is at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
It sums up this opening 30 minutes that Emi Martinez has been Arsenal’s best player. The goalkeeper has been called into action a number of times and Vitoria show no signs of slowing day. Arsenal just can’t get a grip on the game here.
30 mins:Willock and Ceballos just look so isolated as the midfield two. The front three are miles up the pitch, and every time one of them receives it, the only option seems to be to lay it back to a defender.
26 mins:Another chance for the hosts. This time Arsenal do win the first ball off the free kick delivery, but Sokratis’ hooked clearance is only as far as Davidson, who curls towards the far corner but doesn’t quite get it to come back enough.
22 mins: That’s absolutely brilliant from Martinelli, a wonderful piece of skill to slither away from two men on the byline , but when his cross is cleared to Pepe, it comes at him too quickly to do anything with.
YELLOW CARD
18 mins:Tick it off. Mustafi is turned and brings his man down with a cynical tug, so into the book he goes.
17 mins:We’re having a delay here because one of the linesmen has spotted that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is wearing a chain. Proper Sunday League stuff.
ES COVERAGE
Simon Collings is at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Arsenal are lucky to not be behind here. Vitoria have on three occasions come close to taking the lead in the opening 15 minus. Not the start Emery will have wanted or needed.
11 mins:Martinez forced into useful action this time. Another well-hit strike from distance, this time from Marcus Edwards, and he pushes behind.
8 mins:What a hit from Pepe! And not that one!
Vitoria’s midfield man lets fly from 25 yards and rattles the woodwork, with Martinez clutching at thin air.
ES COVERAGE
Simon Collings is at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
This has the feel of a pre-season game right now. The stadium is half empty, it’s an odd kick-off time and the Arsenal subs warmed up with a ball boy.
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Team news
Vitoria: Douglas Jesus, Garcia, Frederico Venancio, Tapsoba, Rafa Soares, Pepe, Agu, Evangelista, Edwards, Duarte, Davidson
Subs: Leo Bonatini, Rochinha, Al Musrati, Andre Pereira, Poha, Hanin, Miguel Silva
Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Ceballos, Tierney, Pepe, Martinelli, Saka
Subs: Leno, Bellerin, Lacazette, Torreira, Nelson, Guendouzi, Kolasinac
Referee: Halis Ozkahya
Head to Head record (H2H)
This will be the second time the two sides have met in an official Uefa competition after the Gunners won 3-2 in north London on matchday 3.
Prediction: Vitoria 1-2 Arsenal
The Gunners’ close shave in the reverse fixture is still fresh in the memory, and Vitoria will look to hit the visitors early.
Arsenal should still see out a win in the second half with greater fitness, but it could be another tight affair.
Live stream details and TV channel information
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2, and can be streamed live online via the BT app and website.
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