Arsenal vs Benfica: Nicolas Pepe adds what Gunners lacked

Arsenal have to win on Thursday. Well, they don’t have to, a 0-0 draw will suffice, but that can’t be the approach coming into the Europa League second leg tie with Benfica in Athens. Get goals, get in behind. Play Nicolas Pepe.

The first leg in Rome saw an interesting setup from Mikel Arteta, who opted for the same lineup who were devastating in the opening 60 minutes against Leeds. Fielding five midfielders to add technical bodies to operate in front of Benfica’s back five setup.

Pre-match, the logic was there: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s pace to run in behind the risky high line the hosts implemented and players who could weave their way through the congested central areas, either with Martin Odegaard picking up pockets in between the lines or using Emile Smith Rowe as the wall-pass option out left.

It’s a system Arteta has been forging in recent weeks, going with an attacking diamond that sees either winger tuck inside when the opposing full-back joins the attack. A tactic that worked like a dream against Leeds as it freed Aubameyang up to focus on attacking spaces and limited his touches, it wasn’t as effective in Rome.

Nicolas Pepe must start for Arsenal against Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday to hurt Jorge Jesus’ side

Arsenal needed the extra forward to run in behind and offer variety. Someone who could take his man on each time he picked up the ball to and exploit the available lanes. The team looked agitated coming up against the back five and Nicolas Pepe would have allowed Arsenal to play with pace in those areas.

Will Benfica go down the same route again? The onus is on them to attack given their slight disadvantage, so Jorge Jesus may revert to his favoured 4-4-2 diamond in Athens. That shouldn’t change the gameplan and, if anything, makes another separate case for Pepe’s speed in behind to be a useful tool.

Odegaard should be rested for this one as Smith Rowe got a breather against Manchester City, hinting towards Arteta taking this route. Furthermore, if Thomas Partey is fit then it reduces the need for another technical midfielder on the pitch who will drop deep as there will be a line-breaking, ball-carrying presence alongside Granit Xhaka.

Hit them where they can be hurt. Hit them where Arsenal can hurt them.