Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal player ratings vs Benfica: Bukayo Saka secures first leg draw

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (C) celebrates with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between SL Benfica and Arsenal at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (C) celebrates with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between SL Benfica and Arsenal at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between SL Benfica and Arsenal FC at Stadio Olimpico on February 18, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 – Another lively, all-action display where with every Jan Vertonghen late challenge he seemed to grow in energy. Lovely link up with Bellerin down the right and caused Benfica all kinds of problems. It wasn’t his best Arsenal performance, but he posed a continuous threat and his inclusion was merited.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 5/10 – He had to score that. Beyond the miss, nothing came off for Aubameyang who was offside more times than anyone can remember and playing like the antithesis of someone who’d just scored a Premier League hat-trick. Importantly, though, is that he got the chances. Leeds was no rare outing.

Emile Smith Rowe (LW) – 7/10 – Acting as the wall-pass option down the left flank, he constantly offered an option down that side and looked even more threatening when Tierney came on. Runs himself into the ground and hopefully he gets a rest against Manchester City.

Good that he came off with 15 to spare. Lovely movement as ever.

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