AUBA’S HEROICS SAVE THE GUNNERS
Talisman’s brace sneaks Arteta’s men into last 16
JUST a stone’s throw from the Acropolis, Arsenal produced a heroic comeback to prevent their season from falling into ruin. Mikel Arteta’s team were crumbling before his very eyes in Athens but out of nowhere the Gunners rose from the clutches of a devastating defeat to save their campaign.
It really shouldn’t have been this arduous, not even the most staunch Benfica supporters can argue that Arsenal weren’t vastly superior.
Not that their manager Jorge Jesus cared an iota as his team took a 3-2 aggregate lead — and the cushion of two away goals — with just 29 minutes to play.
But captain Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, when his team needed him the most, rode to Arsenal’s rescue to score a euphoric late winner as the English side strode into the Europa League last 16.
‘This certainly keeps the season going in a much better way for us. It is a powerful result we can use moving forward,’ Arteta said.
It was no exaggeration to say Arsenal’s season was riding on the outcome of this tie; their disappointing Premier League campaign means any hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hinge on this competition. In fact, their passage through should have been sealed during last week’s first leg but Aubameyang squandered a host of chances in Rome. Thankfully for Arsenal, he wasn’t so wasteful last night.
He timed his run to perfection in the 21st minute to sumptuously finish Bukayo Saka’s reverse through ball which should have settled any early anxieties.
Yet without a second goal the frailties that have dogged Arsenal’s season returned just before half- time when Diogo Goncalves arced a beautiful free-kick past Bernd Leno to make the tie all- square after Dani Ceballos inexplicably fouled Julian Weigl on the edge of the box.
Aubameyang had the ball in the net five minutes after the restart, finishing Martin Odegaard’s sliderule pass but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Yet the Gunners, having been in control for so long, appeared
THE DRAW FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 16 IS AT 11am TODAY ON BT SPORT 2
fragile as BBenfica built uup a head of ststeam. SSo exactly why Ceballos felt the needne to give his opponentst a helping hand in the 61st minute will remain a mystery. He tried to head Helton Leite’s long punt upfield back to Leno. The execution, however, was woeful.
Rafa Silva pounced, bypassing the onrushing Leno before tapping into an empty net to score a goal that meant Arsenal needed two more to proceed into the last 16.
The look on Ceballos’ face said it all. Arteta quickly took pity on him and replaced him with Thomas Partey, while Willian was introduced in place of Emile Smith
Rowe. And credit to Arteta, his decisions changed the game.
First, Kieran Tierney fired beyond Leite from Willian’s cut-back in the 67th minute. From despair to hope in six minutes.
Arsenal needed one moment, one chance — and up stepped Aubameyang in the 87th minute to complete the job. Saka’s ball was delicious, Aubameyang’s run and header at the back post was clinical. Arsenal live to fight another day… just. ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Leno 6; Bellerin 6.5 (Lacazette 78min), Luiz 6.5, Gabriel 6.5, Tierney 8; Ceballos 5 (Partey 63, 7), Xhaka 7; Saka 8.5 (Chambers 90), Odegaard 6.5 (Elneny 90), Smith Rowe 6.5 (Willian 63, 7); AUBAMEYANG 9. Subs not used: Soares, Pepe, Mari, Nketiah, Ryan, Martinelli, Hein. Scorers: Aubameyang 21, 87, Tierney 67. Manager: Mikel Arteta 8. Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Ned) 6.