Arsenal lock horns with SL Benfica on Thursday in their second leg fixture at Emirates. Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg, the Gunners are hoping for a clean sheet that should be enough to help them advance to the next stage. However, they are not in the best of forms, failing to win in five of their last six matches in all competitions – keeping just one clean sheet in the process.
SL Benfica aren’t experiencing a great run of winning form either and are currently miles behind Sporting CP in the title race. That said, they do generally perform well in Europe, with Jorge Jesus’ men hoping to take advantage of the lack of audience at Emirates to seal a narrow away win this midweek.
A Brief Tactical Preview Of Arsenal Vs SL Benfica
Talking Tactics
Arsenal
Despite the away goal advantage, Mikel Arteta will do well to realise that attack could indeed be the best form of defence for Arsenal in this game, especially given the way how the 4-2-3-1 has been flourishing in recent times. We can, therefore, expect the Gunners to dominate the possession, using the creativity and pace of wide players like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to probe the opposing backline, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang operating centrally.
SL Benfica
Jorge Jesus opted for a 3-5-2 in the first-leg encounter, and it remains likely that he would want to tinker with his formation this midweek, with a 4-4-2 seemingly a possibility.
The Portuguese outfit may sit back during the game’s initial stages but could come out all guns blazing, particularly in the second half. It is important they retain a certain level of balance between attack and defence, especially with the wingback formation that often leaves spaces behind the backline.
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal are set to miss out on the services of Thomas Partey once again due to his injury. The midfielder is nearing his return to full fitness, but the midweek comes just a bit too soon. In addition to him, Rob Holding has been ruled out for the Gunners due to an injury sustained in the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on the weekend.
Predicted Lineup: Leno; Bellerin, Gabriel, Luiz, Cedric; Ceballos, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang
SL Benfica
Benfica are missing a few key players, including Andre Almeida and Jardel, both of who are spending time on the sidelines. Reverting to a 4-4-2, on the other hand, could come at the expense of Lucas Verissimo, Diogo Goncalves and Adel Taarabt, with Rafa Silva, Everton and Gilberto likely to return to the starting eleven.
Predicted Lineup: Leite; Gilberto, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Silva, Weigl, Pizzi, Everton; Nunez, Waldschmidt
Key Men
Arsenal
Arsenal will be relying on their star striker Aubameyang, as they are likely to concede a goal here – something that could necessitate productivity going forward. It could make the Gabonese international a vital part of this encounter. In fact, his performance could go a long way in dictating his team’s fate in this game.
SL Benfica
As for Benfica, the onus will be on Pizzi to provide the creative essence in the final third. The experience Portuguese operator is a key source of Benfica’s offensive play, so it will be interesting to see how he offers the supply for the likes of Luca Waldschmidt and Darwin Nunez this midweek.
