This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
On November 6, 2019, Arsenal's hopes of securing an automatic qualification spot in the Europa League knockout stages hung in the balance after a thrilling 1-1 draw against Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.
Shkodran Mustafi broke the deadlock in the 80th minute with a powerful header, rising highest to meet Nicolas Pepe's floated free-kick. However, the visitors' lead was short-lived as Bruno Duarte scored an equalizer at stoppage time to draw the hosts level.
The match was rescheduled to Wednesday due to Vitoria's close proximity to Braga, who were also playing in the competition against Besiktas on Thursday, November 7.
Unai Emery made a couple of changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Wolves last weekend, with just 18 members of the squad making the Portugal trip. Only defenders Sokratis, Kieran Tierney, and midfielder Dani Ceballos kept their places, with Rob Holding skippering the side in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, and Mesut Ozil.
Despite struggling to break the stubborn Portuguese outfit, Arsenal remained top in Group F with 11 points, having collected three wins from three matches.
