Vitoria's late equaliser denies Arsenal victory

Arsenal drew 1-1 away in Portugal against Vitoria Guimarães in the Europa League tonight - to put them four points clear of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. 

A victory from Unai Emery's side would have taken them straight through to the last 32, but they will have to bide their time now after Bruno Duarte's late header cancelled out Shkodran Mustafi's second-half opener for the Gunners. 

Emery rings changes

Under-fire Emery opted to make changes for the fixture: swapping eight players from last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Wolves.

Vitoria started well and looked really hungry to conquer their first points in the Europa League this season. The hosts created some very good chances in the first 30 minutes of the game, but found Emiliano Martinez in good form in the Arsenal goal. 

In the second-half, both teams struggled to create chances with Arsenal moving the ball sluggishly and lacking ideas.

Mustafi on target

However, the Gunners took the lead with just nine minutes remaining when Nicolas Pepe's curled cross from a set-piece found Shkodran Mustafi unmarked, and the German headed home the visitors' only shot on target all night.

With time running out, Vitoria pressed hard for an equaliser, and they were rewarded for their efforts in stoppage-time when Duarte turned home after good work from former Tottenham academy player Marcus Edwards.

Four in a row

Although Arsenal's qualification for the Europa League knockout stages is almost certainly assured, the North Londoners will be disappointed to record a fourth consecutive draw in all competitions.

For Vitoria, the result killed any hopes they had of qualifying from the group stages of the competition. 

The points are shared in Portugal

🏆 #UEL

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 6, 2019