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Benfica vs Arsenal preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Benfica
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Ceballos, Xhaka, Smith Rowe; Saka, Aubameyang, Pepe
Benfica: Leite; Goncalves; Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Taarabt, Weigl, Everton; Nunez, Seferovic
Benfica vs Arsenal Score Prediction
Despite earning one of the tougher draws for round of 32 having finished top of their group, Arsenal are more than capable of hurting this Benfica side.
It’s not been the best season for As Águias, who have fallen way behind Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga title race. There are somewhat excused since their fierce rivals are in blistering form and undefeated in their league campaign thus far.
For any game, any time and any place, you want your best players in top form and Arsenal couldn’t have Bukayo Saka and Aubameyang playing any better than they are. The captain put in his best display of the season against Leeds when he notched his first Premier League hat-trick, yet it was his overall performance and liveliness to really shone through.
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Reinforced by the effervescent Saka, who is nailed on to win the Gunners’ Player of the Season, Arsenal have two parts of a forward line that will strike fear into the hearts of their opponents on Thursday.
With both legs on away soil for either team, and without Benfica’s vibrant supporters backing their side, Arsenal will be more inclined to go for the jugular. Rightly so. An attacking side must be employed by Arteta, as even if they secure a 3-2 victory, for example, the away goals may be vital in the return leg in Athens. That score is, of course, more favourable than 1-0 as Arsenal will want goals in both legs.
It will be a bitterly tough lineup for Arteta to go with. The Nicolas Pepe-less side full of technical operators brought the best out of Aubameyang on Sunday, but with first-choice right-back Gilberto possibly missing out, Benfica have employed a forward, Diogo Gonçalves, in his stead. That is an area to exploit, if so.
Benfica have goals spread across their side and even with Arsenal’s greater defensive resilience they pose a threat. I can foresee Arsenal really going for it in this leg, and getting the goals they seek.
The counter-press. dark. Next