Saka gives Arsenal vital away goal in draw in Rome

The Europa League last 32 first leg was moved to Rome due to a travel ban between the UK and Portugal and the contest was very even on the whole. 

A quiet first half was followed by a much livelier second and the 1-1 scoreline was very fair. Good Benfica pressure early in the second half was rewarded when Pizzi converted a spot kick given for handball in the 55th minute. Two minutes later, a VAR awarded Bukayo Saka goal put Arsenal on level terms. The closing stages of the clash were relatively quiet as neither side wanted to lose what they had and it is all to play for in the second leg in Athens next Thursday. 

Both teams showed they were taking it seriously from the off. Mikel Arteta fielded an unchanged Arsenal line-up from the one which beat Leeds 4-2 last Sunday while Benfica made just the three changes and the opening exchanges were cagey. Chances were at a premium, but the Gunners should have hit the front after 19 minutes. Ceballos picked out Bellerin on the near side, he squared for Aubameyang who inexplicably hit wide of the mark. 

Arsenal edged the opening period, but Benfica could have scored when Darwin Nunez was denied by goalkeeper Bernd Leno just after the half hour. Then, right on half-time, Alex Grimaldo made a dangerous move down Arsenal's right and he got into the area, but his unselfishness cost him as Ceballos blocked his attempted cut back into the middle for a teammate to tap home. The game was very different in the second 45 though. 

 

February 18, 2021

The Portuguese outfit started brightly and Pizzi tested Leno early on while Saka had an opportunity at the other end. Benfica were posing more of a threat though and they were awarded a spot kick. A corner was taken short and Diogo Goncalves' cross struck Smith-Rowe's arm in an unnatural postion. The referee pointed to the spot and Pizzi beat Leno from 12 yards despite the keeper going the right away. However, their joy was short-lived.

Aubameyang passed the ball to Odegaard who then gave it to Cedric and then he cut back to Saka to tap in. A very late flag by the assistant referee was overruled by VAR as Saka was clearly behind the ball. 

Substitute Rafa Silva forced a good save out of Leno in the 63rd minute and then Everton failed to hit the target when he got an opening 10 minutes later, but both teams seemed to settle for a 1-1 scoreline to take into the second leg. The final 20-25 minutes of the contest were very quiet with neither side wanting to take any risks. Arsenal were happy with their away goal and Benfica did not want to fall further behind. They only need a goal in the second leg in Athens next week to progress to the last 16.