Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Arsenal's Europa League last-32 first-leg clash with Benfica from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. European football has proven to be a haven from the chaos this season for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta's team reaching the knockout stages with a 100 per cent record. Benfica will represent much sterner opposition than their group-stage rivals, however.
Europa League / 1/16 Final
Stadio Olimpico / 18.02.2021
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 18/02/2021 at 21:54 GMT
- All
- Highlights
End of 2nd Half
90+4'
FT: Benfica 1-1 Arsenal. All to play for in, er, Athens, in the second leg. A good result for Arsenal on the face of it, but the chances that Aubameyang had really should have been enough for the Gunners to snatch victory. Thanks for joining us. Goodnight.
90+2'
Martinelli the only one really full of running, He is doing all the pressing himself.
90'
Late double change here for the Gunners, with Mohamed Elneny and Willian on for Ceballos and Odegaard. Four minutes of time to be added.
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On
Willian
Arsenal
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Off
M. Ødegaard
Arsenal
89'
Both teams are sitting much deeper now, seeing the game out.
87'
A little sloppy again from the Gunners, who now seem set for the draw.
85'
Another change for Benfica, with Chiquinho on for Verissimo.
83'
Arsenal enjoying plenty of the ball here. Can they create that killer chance?
81'
Arsenal getting a little sloppy in their passing at the back, which is risky against this Benfica team.
-
He should.
79'
Great feet from Pepe top get to the byline but he just overruns it.
77'
Change for Benfica, too, with Taarabt replaced by Gabriel.
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On
Gabriel
Benfica
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Off
A. Taarabt
Benfica
76'
Double change for Arsenal now, with Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe on for Aubameyang and Smith Rowe.
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On
N. Pépé
Arsenal
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Off
P. Aubameyang
Arsenal
74'
CHANCE! Aubameyang, again, with a great chance, but he fails to pull the trigger, cuts back inside, and is tackled. Had the goal at his mercy!
72'
WIDE! Taarabt plays in Everton, who cuts onto his right, fires for goal, but the effort flies just wide.
70'
Xhaka does really well to cut out the pass from Seferovic and launch a counter.
68'
Much more open game now, with both teams committing men forward.
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TEN GOALS!
66'
Changes all round here as Kieran Tierney comes on for Cedric, while Benfica make a double change, with Pizzi and Nunez replaced by Seferovic and Everton.
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On
K. Tierney
Arsenal
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Off
C. Soares
Arsenal
64'
WIDE! Aubameyang is slotted in by Xhaka, but the skipper drags the strike wide. Good chance.
62'
SAVE! Great play from substitute Rafa to work space for the shot, he curls one with the outside of his boot, but Leno springs across to make a fine save.