This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
On October 25, 2019, Arsenal manager Unai Emery praised Nicolas Pepe's performance in the Europa League match against Vitoria, where the Ivorian winger scored two match-winning free-kicks.
Pepe came on as a 74th-minute substitute, replacing Alexandre Lacazette, and sparked a lacklustre Arsenal into life with two sensational free-kicks in the 80th and 92nd minutes to snatch a 3-2 win.
Emery revealed that Pepe has been practising his free-kick routine on the training field, which paid off in the match.
“Every new player usually needs time for adaptation,” Emery said in his post-match press conference. “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 from two set-pieces which were perfect. He was trying last week with set-piece shooting on the training ground and I was watching his shooting.
“He is improving and tonight he has two goals, which are important for us and for him. He’s continuing the adaptation in his process and as soon as he can adapt, that’s better for us.
“The most important thing is the three points and that some individual players can improve, that they can take confidence for us and for them,” Emery added.
