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
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4019.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4007.png){kind=logo}
Live
Live Updates
:focal(140x151:142x149)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/04/28/2811917-58003384-310-310.png)
Updated 18/02/2021 at 21:54 GMT
38'
Ceballos looks for the ball inside for Bellerin, but the full-back does not read the pass and another move breaks down.
36'
Such a scrappy game still. Arsenal are far too slow at getting the ball forward.
34'
Gabriel clips the ball forward but Aubameyang is offisde.
-
He needs the games, too.
32'
Nunez cuts onto this right and fires for goal, Leno looks like he has an easy save to make but fumbles. He recovers well, however, to gather.
30'
First corner of the game for Benfica, but Smith Rowe nods away Waldschmidt's effort at the near post.
28'
Saka again the danger as he cuts onto his left foot before curling an effort for goal, but it is straight at the goalkeeper.
26'
Saka tries to break the offside trap but strays just beyond the last defender.
24'
Great defending from David Luiz as he holds off his Darwin Nunez.
22'
Much better from the men in red. Arsenal being put under a bit of pressure now.
20'
Benfica are seeing some of the ball now, at least.
18'
WHAT A MISS! One of the worst misses you will see from the skipper! Bellerin put it on a plate for Aubameyang, who just had to slide the ball into the net from six yards out, but somehow Aubameyang slotted the ball wide!
16'
A strange game so far. Benfica have literally not been out of their own half.
14'
Still all Arsenal, without creating any real openings of note.
-
Surely that is unfair.
12'
Cedric Soares cuts back ointo his right foot and whips a cross into the middle but puts too much on it.
10'
Still no openings of note for either side. Arsenal enjoying more possession, however.
8'
Adel Taarabt is getting on the ball for the first time, showing some of that fleet-footed skills.
6'
Hector Bellerin gets to the byline, drills over a low cross, but it is blocked behind for a corner.
4'
Benfica cannot get on the ball at the moment. Emile Smith Rowe is fouled as he looks to counter.
2'
Good start from Arsenal here, with Dani Ceballos having a speculative effort at goal.