Arsenal predicted lineup vs Benfica: Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey in?

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – It’s telling of the circumstances where most supporters don’t want to see Partey start in Athens. Rushing him back from injury has been detrimental to his season, one he’s yet to have three consecutive 90 minutes in, but the fact that his initial absence was listed as 10-12 days (it’ll be 17 days since Villa on Thursday) and he was an outside chance for the City game hints that Arsenal have had this decision ‘well’ planned.

He may get 60 or so minutes and come off for Dani Ceballos, by which time the Gunners wouldn’t mind having the tie sewn up. Risky? Perhaps. Likely? I think so.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – He will never get a rest, Arsenal simply can’t afford it. Only Saka has played more minutes than the Swiss, who if were to fall foul to injury may was well result in Arsenal throwing in the towel. That is hyperbole, yes, but there is not a person in north London who doesn’t tremble at the thought of Mohamed Elneny playing week in, week out in his stead.

Even the anti-Xhaka brigade, who have their reasons, of course, must admit without him Arsenal are up the proverbial creek without a paddle. He starts on Thursday. He has to.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – Martin Odegaard was very, very poor against City. The excuse of him not receiving the ball enough from the back, namely Elneny, is valid, but whenever he had possession or found himself in dangerous areas, he fluffed his lines.

That isn’t the reason Arteta will leave him out of the side, it will instead be rotation. Odegaard has played just 640 minutes of football all season – and just 278 since late November – which will have contributed to his performance on Sunday. Smith Rowe had a (small) rest and will play in his favoured position.