Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Benfica Europa League preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

By Ross Kennerley

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores their sides first goal 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. SL Benfica face Arsenal FC at a neutral venue in Rome behind closed doors after Portugal imposed a ban on travellers arriving from the UK in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores their sides first goal 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. SL Benfica face Arsenal FC at a neutral venue in Rome behind closed doors after Portugal imposed a ban on travellers arriving from the UK in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. 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 Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Benfica

Arsenal: Leno; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Smith Rowe; Saka, Aubameyang, Pepe

Benfica: Leite; Gilberto; Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Taarabt, Weigl, Everton; Nunez, Seferovic

Benfica vs Arsenal Score Prediction

Even if as a supporter you come into this one confident of a result, it doesn’t prevent the unshakable nerves from settling in. Lose and the world will seemingly come crashing down. It would be catastrophic.

So best not to think about that then, eh?

Looking at the game at hand it is advantage Arsenal, albeit not by the margin that it should have been following the events of the first leg. That sitter will still be haunting Aubameyang.

Arsenal must adopt a more aggressive approach. They played on the front foot in Rome but were shackled by overplaying in central midfield, not getting the ball up to the front men quick enough and, in hindsight, making a mistake by fielding five midfielders. Given Benfica’s high line, having another forward with the pace to run in behind would have been better suited.

Taking a stab at the lineup, Nicolas Pepe could take Odegaard’s slot with Smith Rowe moving centrally, which will allow Arsenal to play in areas they can cause more threat.

Arsenal will have chances. Benfica aren’t quick enough at the back or tight enough in their marking to prevent the Gunners from carving them open so it will simply come down to being effective in both boxes. Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos controlled the midfield last time out, and while the Spaniard needs to cut out 25%-50% of his touches, some of his balls in behind were excellent.

Scoring first is of paramount importance. The pressure will be firmly on Arteta’s side and conceding the opening goal and allowing Benfica to sit off is at the very bottom of the wanted list.

As in the previous leg, Arsenal will look to assert their dominance early on, flood the box and set a marker for how the game will play out. For that reason, pace in wide areas to pounce on any early unsettled minds will be key.

Confidence is one thing, seeing it through is another. I think Arsenal will.

dark. Next. Stats against Arteta

Score Prediction: Arseanl 2-0 Benfica