Advantage Arsenal as spoils are shared in Rome

Benfica and Arsenal have played out a 1-1 draw in Rome which leaves the tie up for grabs when the second leg comes around next week. A penalty from Benfica captain Pizzi and a Bukayo Saka goal saw the spoils shared.

Mikel Arteta opted to stick with the same side that brushed aside Leeds United 4-2 in their last outing. Kieran Tierney made his return to the squad with a place on the bench. Arsenal started the better side as they controlled possession and settled into the game. It was a rather uneventful first 15 minutes as there was little to no goal-mouth action.

That all changed shortly after. A good run by Hector Bellerin as he was put through. The Spanish full-back then rolled the ball across goal to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who had the goal at his mercy, but the Gabon international missed from point-blank range.

✅ Thirty minutes played… @Aubameyang7 and @BukayoSaka87 have come close, but we're still searching for an opener 🤞

🔴 0-0 🔵

🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/Pr2kq9gci8

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 18, 2021

Benfica slowly grew into the game as they maintained possession and looked to cause Arsenal problems at the back however nothing came from it. It was a dour first half but Arsenal almost caused their downfall on the stroke of half-time.

Granit Xhaka picked up the ball on the edge of the box and tried to play a cross-field ball to Bellerin but it was intercepted by Grimaldo who drove in the Arsenal box but failed to pick out a teammate as Dani Ceballos cut out his pass.

There was plenty of work for both managers to do at the half as the game needed a goal.

The second half started the same as the first, with Arsenal having a good chance just minutes after the restart. Emile Smith Rowe was found by Bukayo Saka, but the attacking midfielder was offside. Arsenal continued to pressure Benfica as they pressed forward looking for the goal that would see them go ahead.

Penalty gives Benfica the lead

However, just minutes later, a handball from Emile Smith Rowe in the Benfica box saw the referee point to the spot. Pizzi stepped up and slotted home to give Benfica a lead that they did not deserve.

Gunners not behind for long

Fortunately for Arsenal, they were not behind for long, just three minutes to be exact. After great build-up play, Martin Odegaard found Cedric with a sublime pass and the Portuguese defender slid an inviting ball across goal for Saka who had the easiest of tap-ins as Arsenal was level.

SAKAAAA! 🌶

🔴 1-1 🔵 (57)

🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/n4B1p2c0i3

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 18, 2021

The match was becoming stretched as both sides looked for the go-ahead goal. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang had another glorious chance after Odegaard played him in, but the striker’s shot went wide.

Kieran Tierney came on for Cedric as Arsenal looked for a more attacking option on the left-hand side and Aubameyang then had another glorious chance. After a great ball over the top from Gabriel, Aubameyang took the ball down and should have shot first time but tried to cut inside and the chance was gone as Benfica’s defenders got back to snuff out the threat.

It’s all to play for in Athens.

🏆 #UEL

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 18, 2021

Both sides continued to press for the go-ahead goal but it never came as the match ended level but Arsenal hold a slim advantage with their away goal with the second leg coming up next week in Athens.