Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Benfica: 4 key battles to watch out for in Europa League showdown

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 2, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 2, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Diogo Goncalves
LISBON, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 29: Diogo Goncalves of SL Benfica during the UEFA Europa League Group D stage match between SL Benfica and Standard Liege at Estadio da Luz on October 29, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /

Nicolas Pepe vs Diogo Goncalves

Just as much potential to be a bloodbath as there is for it not to happen at all. An unused substitute against Leeds, debate broke out as to whether Nicolas Pepe was unfairly dropped following a decent spell of form or rested for the Europa League. The answer is likely a bit of both.

Arteta knew he needed as many technical operators in forward positions behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and leaving Pepe out allowed him to do so, yet it also granted him chance to rest and recuperate for Benfica.

If he returns Pepe to the side the Ivorian could have real joy on the left flank against makeshift right-back Diogo Gonçalves. Filling in for natural defender Gilberto, the winger playing out of position presents all the expected deficiencies one would expect. Far more suited in the other half of the pitch, his defensive awareness is lacking as is his tackling ability.

Should Arsenal create more of the overloads they did at Villa Park with Pepe down that flank, there will be more room to exploit than what Matty Cash presented him with.

All will hinge on Gilberto’s fitness after Jorge Jesus addressed the media and revealed a late fitness test will be had for the Brazilian to determine his availability. If he doesn’t feature, the likelihood of Benfica needing to double up down that flank also opens up pockets of space for Emile Smith Rowe to drift into infield. One to look out for.

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