Aubameyang sends Arsenal into Europa League last 16

Arsenal had to host Benfica at Olympiakos' stadium in Athens due to the travel ban on Portuguese teams arriving in the UK. 

It was a quiet start to the game, but the Gunners took the lead after 20 minutes through Aubameyang. The Gabon striker put Arsenal ahead at the Karaiskakis stadium in Piraeus after Saka played a lovely through ball to him and the striker kept his composure to chip the goalkeeper. 

Arsenal looked in complete control, but then Dani Ceballos fouled Weigl outside the box and Benfica punished him. Diogo Goncalves levelled the tie with a magnificent curling free-kick into Leno's top right hand corner. 

The Portuguese side kicked on from there and they got a second away goal on 61 minutes. A long punt forward by keeper Helton Leite was headed back by Ceballos, Rafa Silva picked up the loose ball and scored to give Benfica a 2-1 lead on the night.

 

February 25, 2021

The away goals still applied despite neither team hosting a match and the goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Portuguese players. The Gunners needed two in the last 30 minutes. 

Arsenal began to threaten and substitute Willian teed up Kieran Tierney and he hit into the far corner to pull one back for Arteta's men. However, Arsenal seemed to look less dangerous after that. Benfica began attacking themselves again and when it looked like they would go through, Aubameyang delivered again. 

Saka sent in a lovely ball in from the near side and Aubameyang headed in the decisive goal on 87 minutes, earning the Gunners a 4-3 aggregate victory and saving them from an unusual away goals exit.