Arsenal vs Benfica: Starting lineup needs one key element

Building up to Benfica vs Arsenal at Stadio Olimpico, who and where will be among the questions Mikel Arteta asks himself. Who should I play? Where should I play them?

Having no such options in midfield with Thomas Partey unavailable, and it highly unlikely that Kieran Tierney will be rushed back from injury to take up his usual left-back slot, the conundrums feature in the forward line.

Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Nicolas Pepe are all – realistically – vying for the front four positions.

It’s easy to make a case for two of those being nailed on. Saka is the undoubted star man and will assume a place in the team, whether on the right or left, while Arsenal also can’t afford Smith Rowe to miss out, irrespective of that being off the left or in the No. 10 slot.

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Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lineup for the Europa League clash with Benfica must be made with one key element in mind

Given Aubameyang’s maiden Premier League hat-trick, he too can’t be omitted. So, in truth, it’s essentially Pepe or Odegaard. Yet, even then, Arteta may favour rotation given the fixtures to come.

Who comes in will depend on the manager’s tactical blueprint. But above all, the mantra is a straightforward one in whatever starting lineup: be offensive.

Just like themselves, Benfica are also unfamiliar with their surroundings. Stadio Olimpico is new territory that constitutes as the Portuguese side’s ‘home’ on this occasion, and Arsenal must go for the jugular.

In this position it’s all about pummeling the opposition penalty box and leaving with as many away goals as manageable. If Arsenal can take two, even three or more goals to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium one week later for the return leg, even with some in reply, that’s a far better position to be in than a narrow 1-0 win. Or even a scoreless draw.

Should the tie be level on goals and prompting 30 minutes of extra time in Athens then the advantage will swing in Benfica’s favour. Arsenal mustn’t allow for such an eventuality.

Vastly improved at defending transitions with a more determined and drilled high and counter-press, Arteta can afford his side to pin Benfica back for extended periods.

The issue of not converting when in the ascendancy hasn’t been banished after one free-scoring fixture, but the periods of dominance have progressively grown in length in recent weeks and with the confidence the attacking players have coursing through their veins, the chances of capitalising on those spells increases.

Assured defensive resilience means the Gunners can afford to be more cautious in Greece if they do secure a first leg lead. Some bullish defending with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli on the break with a few away goals in the bag is the ideal scenario.

Benfica are no pushovers. They’re not as strong as they’ve been billed to be, admittedly, but setting out a gameplan for both meetings isn’t wise strategy. Yet, Arsenal have the players to take the game to Benfica on Thursday, score a few goals and put daylight between themselves and anything like a repeat of the traumatic episode last campaign.