Unai Emery confirmed it was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s decision to let Nicolas Pepe take Arsenal’s penalty against Aston Villa.
With his side trailing 1-0 at the Emirates, £72m signing Pepe stepped up to score his first goal for the club from the penalty spot.
Aubameyang is Arsenal’s designated penalty taker but passed the ball to the Ivorian, who had not yet found the net for his new club.
It was a decision that paid off and although Villa went ahead again, Arsenal won the match 3-2 as Aubameyang scored a late free-kick.
On the penalty incident, Emery said: “Today it was a very big decision from Aubameyang to let [Pepe] shoot.”
(Image: REUTERS)
(Image: REUTERS)
Arsenal had been lacklustre at the Emirates on the back of their draw at Watford but managed to grind out the three points.
The win takes Arsenal back into fourth in the table and Emery was full of praise for his side’s character, particularly after losing Ainsley Maitland-Niles to a red card.
“The character was amazing. Playing with one less player was not easy, we lost a little the control but we want that character with our supporters, to take some risk,” he said.
(Image: PA)
Emery also singled out Matteo Guendouzi for praise after another fine display from the midfielder.
“Last year when he came here he was progressing and I like that spirit. He has talent and above all his attitude and energy, his commitment and behaviour,” Emery added.
“He is angry when he is not playing. I like that. They know they have a commitment to do all we need. He is improving.”
