Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has leapt to the defence of teammate Nicolas Pepe after his red card at Leeds United.

Pepe was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor for a moment of madness at Elland Road where he was caught headbutting Ezgjan Alioski during an off the ball incident.

Pepe has received backing from one of his team-mates in the Arsenal dressing room with Xhaka commenting on the attacker's apology posted to social media.

"Keep going brother. You come back stronger," the Swiss midfielder replied.

"WE ARE WITH YOU."