ARSENAL winger Nicolas Pepe has said he is ‘deeply sorry’ for headbutting Leeds ace Ezgjan Alioski.
The Gunners’ £72million record signing has apologised to the club’s fans, his team-mates and manager Mikel Arteta for his rash actions.
Nicolas Pepe was sent off early in the second half of Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at LeedsCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
The Gunners winger was clearly frustrated with the North Macedonia ace during the clash.
And with the ball elsewhere, he confronted Alioski and stupidly appeared to headbutt his opponent five minutes into the second half.
The Leeds man went down clutching his face with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop play after not seeing the incident live.
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But after just a brief look at the VAR monitor, his decision was easy and he showed Pepe the red card.
Now Pepe has revealed his regret with a post on Instagram.
Uploading a photo of him skulking off the Elland Road pitch, he captioned it: “Yesterday I have let my team down at a crucial time of the game and there is no excuses for my behaviour.
“I’m deeply sorry and would like to apologise to the fans, my team-mates, my coach and everyone else at the club.”
The referee consulted the pitch-side monitor and quickly brandished the red cardCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Leeds star Alioski was left clutching his face on the turfCredit: PA:Press Association
After the game, that finished 0-0, Pepe’s manager Arteta slammed the player for his ‘unacceptable’ headbutt.
He told BBC: “It is unacceptable. Unacceptable.
“At this level you cannot do it.”
On the result, Arteta added: “Considering how early we got Pepe sent off we have to take it.
“I never like a draw but in the circumstances it’s a point. It is unacceptable.
“The first half there were two different periods. The game broke a bit, we started to give the ball away and led to them having the space to break.
“The second half it was a matter of defending well and staying patient and using the pace of our players in the space they were leaving.”
Arteta explains why he’s so cross, addresses Pepe’s unacceptable actions and reveals his worries over a lack of goals
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
