Mikel Arteta has slammed Nicolas Pepe for his ‘unacceptable’ headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski against Leeds.
The gunners held on in the game holding Marcelo Bielsa’s side to a stalemate despite playing over 40 minutes with a man down.
The Gunners star was sent off after he was spotted by VAR headbutting Alioski of Leeds United yesterday in their 0-0 draw.
The incident occurred just after half time, and after a VAR check, winger Pepe was given his marching orders at Elland Road.
Afterwards his manager did not hold back as he blasted the Ivory Coast attacker for his high temperamental reaction.
He speaking with BBC said: “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.”
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra was a pundit for Sky and he said afterwards that Pepe should apologise to the Gunners squad.
But added that he thought Alioski made the most of the contact.
He said: “Pepe should say sorry to all his team-mates, because Arsenal had to change their plans after that.
“Alioski deserves an Oscar… he looked like he’d broken his nose or something. But it’s really silly from Pepe.
“When you’re not playing a lot, and you do that when they give you a chance, don’t cry if you’re not playing the next games.”
The Ivory Coast star, Pepe stuck his forehead into the Leeds defender’s head at he was reprimanded for the violent conduct and he would miss the next 3 games for the gunners.
