Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe sent off for headbutting Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski

Football powerhouse Arsenal were forced to play half of their match against Leeds with only 10 men after a star winger lost his temper.

Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal.

Nicolas Pepe has been slammed for headbutting Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski in Arsenal’s fiery 0-0 draw at Elland Road.

The Gunners winger was clearly frustrated with the North Macedonia star during the clash.

And with the ball elsewhere, he confronted Alioski and stupidly pushed his head into his opponent’s forehead five minutes into the second half.

The Leeds man went down clutching his head with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on the ball.

Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop play after not seeing the incident live.

But after just a brief look at the VAR monitor, his decision was easy and he showed Pepe the red card.

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Replays showed Pepe and Alioski tussling a few minutes prior to the red-card incident.

And the next time they came back together, they both pushed out their arms before Pepe took the bait.

Gary Neville, on co-commentary for Sky Sports, called the action: “It’s Pepe and Alioski. Has Pepe reacted? He’s wandering back towards the Leeds man.

“Oh … he might be in a bit of trouble. Yes, he’s in trouble.

“He’s reacted to the initial contact and Alioski just stands his ground and the head comes towards him. He’s done.”

Arsenal midfielder Nicolas Pepe is shown a red card.

Arsenal midfielder Nicolas Pepe leaves the pitch.

Pepe had no complaints when the red card was brandished and trudged off the pitch and up the steps back to the away dressing room.

The decision came in the 51st minute, giving Arsenal 40 minutes to battle away with ten men against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic side.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded Pepe “unacceptable” and accused him of “letting the team down”.

He said: “It is unacceptable. Unacceptable. At this level you cannot do it.

“With ten men it is a big disadvantage. I really liked the personality of the team when Pepe let the team down, how we stuck to do what we had to do and had a moment or two to win the game, but obviously it makes it really difficult.”

And Patrice Evra also let rip at the idiotic move.

He said: “Pepe should say sorry to all his teammates, 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 gave you a chance, don’t cry if you’re not playing the next games.”

Utterly moronic by Nicolas Pepe. To moan about not getting minutes then needlessly get sent off for a headbutt & miss 3 games is inexplicable. He's let Arteta, his teammates & the club down. With VAR you never get away with that. You won't see a more brainless red card #LEEARS

— Uche Amako (@UcheAmako) November 22, 2020

Nicolas Pépé has now received as many red cards in the Premier League this season as he has produced goals and assists combined (1). https://t.co/fgSt9d8ogC

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 22, 2020

READ MORE: Star sprung in lewd football assault

Asked whether Pepe had apologised, Hector Bellerin said: “These things stay in the changing room.

“After the game everyone has a lot of adrenaline and these things need to wait until later in the week.”

The Gunners did hold on for a 0-0 draw, and rode their luck as Leeds hit the woodwork multiple times.

And tempers flared after the full-time whistle with Kieran Tierney seemingly venting his anger at Alioski after they clashed towards just before the end of the match.

The Scottish left-back was held back by teammates and backroom staff before eventually being ushered away.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe sent off for headbutting Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski