Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal vs Benfica: 4 talking points as Aubameyang seals last-gasp win

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (front) and Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (rear) celebrate at the end of the UEFA Europa League 32 Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Benfica at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (front) and Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (rear) celebrate at the end of the UEFA Europa League 32 Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Benfica at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Dani Ceballos
PIRAEUS, GREECE – FEBRUARY 25: Rafa Silva of S.L. Benfica runs with the ball under pressure from Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. Arsenal face SL Benfica at a neutral venue in Piraeus behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) /

Dani Ceballos Ruins Positivity

Up until the 40th minute, there could be few qualms with the performance of Ceballos. He recovered possession more times than any other player on the pitch in the first half, played his way out of danger with composure and covered ground throughout.

The mistakes killed all of that.

While anyone can give away a silly free-kick on the edge of the box, it was the build up to that point which exacerbated the incident. Dropping in between the centre-backs then switching on to his surroundings and clocking on that there was adequate cover, he pushed up too close and tripped his man unnecessarily.

Evidently having the bit between his teeth, such is his aura most matches, he tries to take on too much. Feeling the need to drop off and perform a role that wasn’t his burden to bear, he brought it upon himself.

The second error is plain baffling. He saw Rafa looking to pounce on a header back, and having known Leno was not within range unless his neck muscles were Looney Tunes-esque springs, the weak glance of the ball gifted Benfica a seemingly inevitable win.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

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