Give me a win over Benfica than Manchester City any day

Nicolas Pepe

Give me a Europa League win over Benfica than a Premier League one over Manchester City any day

By Bradley West 

The next week in Arsenal’s season could be pivotal, but not with regards to the two Premier League fixtures ahead. 

Huge contests at home to Manchester City and Leicester City await which present opportunities to climb closer to the all-important top four. 

But, it is clear that the most likely route back into the Champions League is through winning the Europa League, and the last 32 second leg against Benfica is therefore of upmost importance. 


A clash with the ‘best team in Europe’ 

Before then, the Gunners take on runaway league leaders Manchester City – a side described by Mikel Arteta as “the best team in Europe at the moment.” 

Arteta, of course, knows the side well having served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant and would love to get one over on his old employers. 

City are ten points clear at the top of the table, and 22 ahead of Arsenal, having only lost twice in their opening 24 matches this campaign. 

But, all teams are fallible and victory here would put down a huge statement in the ever-changing race for the Champions League places. 

Arteta said: “It could define our season if we are unable to close the gaps to them but it can create momentum for us if we can get closer to them. We know the margin for error is minimal with the season that we have had so we need to kick on.” 

Promisingly, the Gunners are unbeaten in six league games at home and could welcome back the influential Kieran Tierney into the fold. 

However, the weight of history could well bare down on Arsenal in this one – having lost seven successive league matches to the blue half of Manchester. 

Indeed, even if they pull off a sensational victory, a top four place would still look a long way off. The Europa League should be the priority. 

Bukayo Saka

Cannot put a foot wrong 

With that in mind, of importance to Arsenal’s season is what happens on Thursday evening in Athens. 

Victory against Benfica in the second leg of their last 32 contest would edge Arteta’s men one step closer to European silverware, and a place at the top table of European football once more. 

But nobody, not least the players, are expecting an easy ride after a challenging 1-1 first leg draw in Rome. 

Despite being the better side, Pizzi’s penalty left Arsenal trailing before Bukayo Saka, as he so often does, proved the savour with a composed finish on the end of Cedric Soares’ low cross to knab a crucial away goal. 

Speaking to BT Sport, Saka outlined just how challenging the second leg will be. 

He said: “We can't put a foot wrong because if we do we will make it difficult for ourselves.” 

With that in mind, a controversial call could be to rest some of the key men for the visit of City, ahead of Thursday’s massive second leg. 

It won’t go down well in all parts, but perhaps it would be the smartest move and could well serve Arsenal well to have some fresher legs in the latter stages of the competition should we get there. 

After all, as of right now a win over Benfica and a defeat to City would be much more positive than the other way around. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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