ARSENAL fans hailed the “timeless” Pepe after spotting something eerie following their clash with Porto.
The Gunners edged past Porto on penalties this week after a 1-1 aggregate score as David Raya proved to be the shoot-out hero.
The legendary Pepe looks on as Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal vs Porto in 2006News Group Newspapers Ltd
AlamyThe veteran struck an identical pose as Leandro Trossard scored on Tuesday 18 years later[/caption]
That secured their place in the Champions League quarter finals for the first time in 14 years – although a simulated draw handed them a nightmare route to Wembley on June 1.
However, a retro photograph has emerged that looks strikingly similar to a famous moment from 18 YEARS ago involving a player that featured two days’ ago.
Leondro Trossard scored the crucial goal on Tuesday, and a shot captured the scene perfectly as he raced away to start his celebration.
Meanwhile, it also showed Porto’s veteran defender Pepe watching helplessly as the ball shot towards the bottom corner.
Amazingly, the record-breaking 41-year-old Portuguese centre-half also featured in another iconic shot concerning the Gunners.
Arsenal beat Porto 2-0 back at the Emirates in 2006 in the group stage, and there is a great snap showing Thierry Henry scoring the first goal for Arsene Wenger’s side from that night.
Next to the Frenchman was the then 23-year-old Pepe, in an almost identical hapless pose just like he found himself in with Trossard’s goal.
A year later the centre-half moved to Real Madrid and won three Champions League titles before returning to Porto in 2019.
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One eagle-eyed fan shared the two photos alongside each other X after spotting the striking resemblance.
And it left some completely bamboozled as they claimed that Pepe had not changed a bit – with one even joking that “he is a time traveller”.
“Pepe is literally timeless. Legend,” read one reply on X.
Another claimed: “Pepe hasn’t aged a bit.”
“Pepe never changed,” wrote another fan of the experienced ace.
A fifth commented: “Pepe has only grown younger since.”
And a sixth added: “18 years later, gotta appreciate Pepe!”
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