Nicolas Pepe apologizes to fans for red card against Leeds United

Pepe and Alioski received abusive messages on social media following the off-the-ball incident, which were later condemned by both players' clubs. While Pepe was sent off after VAR officials spotted that the Arsenal forward had head-butted defender Alioski, the Arsenal winger was brandished a red card after referee Anthony Taylor took a look at the VAR monitor.

Pepe, who has struggled to impress since his £72m move to Arsenal from Lille in August 2019, is facing a three-match ban, which would rule him out of the north London derby at Tottenham on 5 December, in addition to home games against Wolves and Burnley.

"I'm deeply sorry and would like to apologise to the fans, my team-mates, my coach and everyone else at the club".

The incident left Mikel Arteta furious with Pepe after the game calling his behaviour "unacceptable".

'You need to be able to deal with that because it's part of the plan against this team'.

Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips highlighted the online abuse on his own Twitter account on Sunday night.

Arsenal's record signing Nicolas Pepe was sent off early in the second half during the Leeds United match.

"We will work closely with the police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished".

'This is completely unacceptable and we will be working with the police and authorities to do everything we can to trace and prosecute the culprits'.

Whereas Leeds United also released a similar statement as they said they would not tolerate such abuse.