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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Benfica: Europa League returns

By Rob Worthington

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates with team mates (L-R) Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 02, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates with team mates (L-R) Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 02, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Benfica in the Europa League round of 32 on Thursday. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

European football is back! This week’s round of continental fixtures started excellently with Liverpool brushing RB Leipzig aside and PSG’s Kylian Mbappé terrorising a fragmented Barcelona defence. Unfortunately, Arsenal will be participating in a different European competition tomorrow night against Benfica: the Europa League.

It’s back. You’ll notice there was no need for an exclamation mark this time round. UEFA’s second string club competition has never been one which has been synonymous with genuine excitement. Quite the contrary. However, despite the Europa League’s dull connotations, realistically, it’s Arsenal’s last hope of making this season a successful one.

As has been well documented since Arsenal dropped out of the Champions League, the Europa League offers a direct route back into Europe’s elite club competition. The Champions League, of course, being the stage many Arsenal fans feel their club belongs in.

Arsenal’s journey through the knockout stages starts on Thursday evening. Benfica ‘host’ the Gunners in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. This being the ‘away’ leg for Arsenal. Portugal’s and England’s respective coronavirus travel restrictions mean both legs will have to take place in neutral venues, with Arsenal ‘hosting’ Benfica in Athens in a week’s time.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1361978908489449474

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Benfica in the Europa League round of 32 on Thursday

As for Arsenal’s team tomorrow, it is expected Mikel Arteta will select a strong XI. Despite sitting in fourth place in the Portuguese league, Benfica are likely Arsenal’s toughest Europa League round of 32 opponents to date.

The Gunners will be contesting against the likes of Everton Soares, Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo. Meanwhile, former Premier League veterans Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen will also be available for selection for the Primeira Liga giants.

Considering how congested the fixture list is, rotation is still probable, but the strength of the opponents and the added importance of the Europa League for Arteta’s side this season mean the change likely won’t be wholesale.

As for absentees, Kieran Tierney could return after it was revealed he partook in full training earlier this week. Nevertheless, unfortunately this fixture will likely come a little to early for Thomas Partey who is still nursing a hamstring strain.

Onto the lineup.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

Arsenal, Pablo Mari
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Pablo Mari of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on January 02, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Bernd Leno (GK) – If I were to see Maty Ryan’s name pop up on Thursday’s night’s team-sheet, I wouldn’t be too disheartened as he is an excellent option as a second-choice goalkeeper. Nevertheless, in cup competitions and even in some Europa League group stage matches, Arteta has stuck with his first choice ‘keeper, Bernd Leno, between the sticks this season. Expect him to start in Rome.

Hector Bellerìn (RB) – As for the right-back position, Hector Bellerìn enjoyed one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt this campaign against Leeds on Sunday. He should be given a chance to carry on his good form. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles Everton Soares, a man earmarked as a potential Arsenal signing a few years ago.

Rob Holding (CB) – Next to Bellerìn, expect Rob Holding to return to the starting lineup. The Englishman was quite unexpectedly dropped on Sunday for David Luiz, but he certainly deserved his rest. It’s been non-stop for him in recent weeks. He’ll be playing for his place against Manchester City on Sunday.

Pablo Marì (CB) – After a period out of the side due to an initial thigh injury, Gabriel’s return and David Luiz’s strong recent performances, Pablo Marì should be welcomed back into the fold. He caused his reputation no harm over the Christmas period, handling himself very impressively alongside Holding. One senses the Europa League is the sort of level of football Marì would excel at, he deserves a chance to throw his name in the hat once again.

Çedric Soares (LB) – At left-back, Çedric Soares will likely keep his place. Despite Tierney’s return to injury and the potential importance of this game, getting him fit for a tough match against league leaders City at the weekend should be Arsenal’s priority. Çedric will thus continue to understudy.

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