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

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal stand over a free kick during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 30, 2021 in London, England. 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 Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal stand over a free kick during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 30, 2021 in London, England. 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 Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal recieves treatment as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe look on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Adrian Dennis – Pool/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Primed and ready to play his 10,000th full 90 this season, Mr. Reliable and Mr. The Best Player in the Team is a given to start. Will he ever get a rest? At 19 he’s full of youthful exuberance that is seeing him through each week untroubled. While the fear of burnout rings alarm bells in the back of the mind, he isn’t showing any sings of slowing down.

Furthermore, Arsenal aren’t much without him. The biggest game of the season needs the best player of the season…*ahem*… the best player.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – No Alexandre Lacazette for this one. Arteta felt City were there for the taking and opted to play the captain, a ploy that didn’t work. Even if Aubameyang played the entire match with minimal impact, his movement made Arsenal’s best chances in the first leg so he will return.

Even if he missed one sitter and saw two others go begging, as soon as he came off in Rome Arsenal created nothing. His ability to create chances is perhaps even better than his ability to finish them. He’ll play.

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – The major change of the team could see Odegaard dropping out for the aforementioned reasons. In his pre-match press conference Arteta spoke of Nicolas Pepe in glowing terms, adding that he likes what he can bring to the left flank.

Next. Tactical shift with Pepe vs Benfica. dark

Arsenal were too cautious in the first leg and needed another forward in the side. Pepe came on and was immediately direct with his running and aggressive with his dribbling, a trait that will be key to a lightening start in Athens. Starting games much stronger than he has previously, the Ivorian’s pace will aid Arsenal’s intentions of going for the jugular early doors.

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