MISERABLE Arsenal suffered another late meltdown as they were denied Europa League qualification by a stoppage time equaliser.
Unai Emery’s team looked to be edging their way into the last 32 thanks to Shkodran Mustafi’s 80th minute header.
But once again they were unable to hold on to their lead and coughed up a 90th minute goal to Vitoria striker Bruno Duarte.
It means the Gunners still need one more point from their last two group games to be sure of securing their place in the last 32.
But the visitors could have few complaints after scoring with their only effort on goal on another grim afternoon’s viewing for the travelling Arsenal fans.
Having dropped his Granit Xhaka bombshell on the eve of this game, Emery sprang another major surprise when he opted to start with a back three.
It was the first time since last season’s Europa League final against Chelsea that Arsenal had lined up that way. And we all remember how well that one went.
It also meant that none of his so-called captaincy group was in the starting line-up, with Rob Holding becoming the fourth different player in four games to wear the armband.
But the change of formation didn’t bring a change of momentum for Arsenal, who once again found themselves pinned on the back foot from the start.
They were fortunate to escape in the eighth minute when Vitoria forward Pepe struck the post with a fierce long range effort.
And they needed full-stretch saves from Emiliano Martinez to keep out goal-bound efforts from Marcus Edwards and Edmond Tapsoba as the home team turned the screw.
The dangerous Davidson was given far too much time and space to curl another shot inches wide of the far post as Arsenal continued to fly by the seat of their pants.
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Arsenal’s attacking efforts amounted to little more than a scuffed shot from Gabriel Martinelli and a Holding header from Bukayo Saka’s inviting cross which cleared the bar.