Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski trolls Nicolas Pepe by telling team-mate Patrick Bamford he ‘can’t wait to play his mate again’ after Arsenal winger was sent off for headbutting him in clash at Elland Road… as teams prepare to meet at the Emirates on Sunday
- Arsenal and Leeds United are set to meet in the Premier League this Sunday
- The reverse fixture last year was memorable for Nicolas Pepe’s red card
- Ezgjan Alioski has stoked the flames ahead of the rematch, by trolling the Ivorian
Ezgjan Alioski has stoked the flames ahead of going head-to-head with Nicolas Pepe once again when Leeds visit Arsenal.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men travel to the Emirates on Sunday, ahead of the Gunners in the Premier League table and looking to go one better than their 0-0 draw last November.
It was at Elland Road where Pepe was given a red card by Anthony Taylor for leading with his forehead towards Alioski during the first half, following a consultation with VAR.
Nicolas Pepe was sent off the last time Arsenal met Leeds United at Elland Road in November
The Ivory Coast international was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor after consulting with VAR
The sending off angered Arsenal fans and players, with left back Kieran Tierney having to be led away by staff and team-mates when attempting to confront the Macedonian at full-time.
And ahead of their re-match, the 28-year-old couldn’t resist giving his team-mates a little reminder of what lies in wait this weekend.
Speaking to Leeds United’s official channel after victory over Crystal Palace, Patrick Bamford revealed to the interviewer: ‘Do you know what? He (Alioski) said in the changing room, I can’t wait for Sunday.
‘I was like “why?”. He said “because I’m playing against my mate Pepe again”.’
Pepe missed the next three matches through suspension following his red card, but is back in Mikel Arteta’s squad and playing regularly.
Ezgjan Alioski has sought to fan the flames between the two clubs ahead of Sunday’s clash
He has hit something of a purple patch by his own standards, having scored twice in his last four outings in the top flight.
Arteta’s men have been struggling for form overall of late, losing back to back matches against Aston Villa and Wolves.
They are currently 11th in the table, a point and a place behind Leeds.
