Despite the win, it’s probably a case of a star player papering over cracks once again for Emery’s side.
Tierney and Bellerin were bright together in attack but looked off the pace in defence, and they weren’t creating any real clear-cut opportunities from open play until Pepe came on to rescue them with a pair of free-kicks.
They remain three points clear at the top of Group F, with Vitoria still without a point.
Nicolas Pepe finally arrives in England, he turned this game on its head after coming on with 15 minutes to play. It’s really harsh on Vitoria who were good value for at least a point and led twice in the first half after good goals from Edwards and Duarte.
Martinelli headed in Tierney’s cross in the first half but Arsenal were labouring to a surprise defeat before their record signing came on.
He bent in a free-kick from the right into the bottom-left corner, before curling another into the top-left with pretty much the last kick of the game. Worth every penny.
