Arsenal vs Benfica - Europa - 18/2 20h00 GMT. Francesinha sandwich - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Arsenal vs Benfica - Europa - 18/2 20h00 GMT. Francesinha sandwich

Claudius

The only time we played Benfica in Europe, it was in the European Cup in 91/92. A team featuring Seaman, Adams, Dixon, Burnwinter, Rocastle, and Limpar went down 3-1 after extra time in the 2nd leg of a 2nd round tie that preceded the group stage.

That's a 3 decade beef we need to handle this Thursday.
I would keep things fairly similar to the Leeds game. Arteta likes his veterans, so I'm including them for him.

Aubameyang

Odegaard - ESR - Saka

Xhaka - Ceballos

Cédric - Gabriel - Luiz - Bellerin

Leno

I would bring Pépé back for the City game and rest either Saka or ESR. This should not be a massive test. Benfica are 4th, 10 points behind Sporting. We don't even need to risk Tierney and Partey in the first leg.

Benfica are 9/5 to win. Arsenal are 29/20. A draw is 5/2.

I predict 2-0 Arsenal.

goon

Praise the Claud. Thanks for opening this mate.

I like the team. I'd personally bring back Pepe for this and give bring back Odegaard for City, as I think Pepe would get more joy against this lot.

I would also sub out Luiz. I'm not as fussed as others about him playing, but I still think Holding should be ahead of him.

I think/hope this will be a comfortable win and reckon the lack of home/away will turn out to be an advantage for us. By the way, how ludicrous is it that away goals are still in play when you have two neutral venues with no fans? It's a shit rule to begin with.

Sicario

This is the best time to play Benfica, they are going through a rough patch and are there for the taking.

We should be wary of set pieces as they have Vertoghan and Otemendi who are generally very strong in that area.

They also have a very tricky winger in Everton (who we were heavily linked with 12-18 months ago). But there best player is arguably Darwin Nunez, formidable number 9, great talent.

However, as I mentioned in General Football thread I watched them last night and wasn’t overly impressed. They are 10 points behind Sporting (who are first). Let’s get this job done in the first leg as our league games are very difficult either sides of our matches against the Portuguese.

Also, if you think our record in Europe is bad, Benfica haven’t won anything since 1967 and I think they have lost like 9 or 10 finals - one of if not the most jinxed team in Europe over the last 60 years.

Klaus

Always had a soft spot for Benfica as a club. I have no idea if they are are any good nowadays but I've got a lot of respect for Jorge Jesus. It'll be a small reunion for him and Pablo Mari here after they tore up the Brazilian league together.

Qwiss

After getting knocked out at this point last season we really need to get through here and put together a decent European run.

speedy

Aye very often people think oh we should just focus on this or that. But in reality a strong run the league often partners a strong run in the cup. You fall out of one and it knocks your confidence in the other. We've seen our league form drop when we drop out of Europe many times it's a big disappointment. While a big win is a huge moral boost around the place. Everyone is pissed of with lockdown the moral boost of a good European run would do wonders for us.

Claudius

I really want to win this trophy. I’m sure Arteta obsesses over it as well

Sicario

Quick question.

Emery Europa League side 2019 v Arteta Europa League side 2021.

Who is better?

Appreciate even if you think it’s the latter it doesn’t necessarily mean we have a better chance as the Europa League is harder to win this year than 2 years ago imo.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Surely Laca will start, although I'd be impressed with Arteta's conviction if not.

Rohit

Claudius wrote:
I really want to win this trophy. I’m sure Arteta obsesses over it as well

Same. I really want Arsenal to win a European competition, even if the secondary one. I remember the penalty shootout against Galatarsaray like it was yesterday, let alone the CL final or the loss against Chelsea.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Ah yes. Henry's 500 attempts on goal and not one of them going in.

mentalvortex

This is the best time to play and beat Benfica.

They have been in a rut domestically with most of their summer signings not delivering on the hype.

jones

Sicario wrote:
Quick question.

Emery Europa League side 2019 v Arteta Europa League side 2021.

Who is better?

Appreciate even if you think it’s the latter it doesn’t necessarily mean we have a better chance as the Europa League is harder to win this year than 2 years ago imo.

2021 squad is far better yet looks worse on the pitch

2019 EL had better teams in it

TambourineMan

Who is the best team in the EL at the moment in your guys opinions? Had a look through the list of teams that remain and there are some very decent sides still in the running.

Big Willie

Rohit wrote:
Claudius wrote:
I really want to win this trophy. I’m sure Arteta obsesses over it as well

Same. I really want Arsenal to win a European competition, even if the secondary one. I remember the penalty shootout against Galatarsaray like it was yesterday, let alone the CL final or the loss against Chelsea.

I've completely blocked out the CL final loss. All I can remember is the red card, Campbell, Pires being taken off and Almunia getting beaten at the near post and getting nutmegged. I don't even remember any of the chances Henry missed that game and have never watched it back since then.

Claudius

Our anxieties when Leeds made it 2-4 yesterday. Our refusal to watch old cup finals. We are such a traumatised fan base. An unhealthy relationship where there’s so much angst.

I also don’t think it helps when now we build up in our heads that we have the 3rd best team in the league and have to square that with a team sitting in 10th

Big Willie

Honestly, it's not just the finals, I don't like watching back any game we've lost. Don't even watch Match of the Day if we lose. The CL final is a different beast though and that hurt badly. Especially with how things turned out in the years following. It's been all downhill since then.

Gazza M

feels like we can get a gist of who's leading the europa charge based on who was on the bench against leeds. laca, pepe, willian, el neny, holding will probably be the core of the europa gang

if we can get healthy, we can win this tournament. plenty of decent teams in it. we'll definitely have a run-in with 1-2 english clubs if we get past benfica

Claudius

Gazza M wrote:
feels like we can get a gist of who's leading the europa charge based on who was on the bench against leeds. laca, pepe, willian, el neny, holding will probably be the core of the europa gang

if we can get healthy, we can win this tournament. plenty of decent teams in it. we'll definitely have a run-in with 1-2 english clubs if we get past benfica

I actually think you may be right with your prediction that Laca, Pépé and Holding could come in. I suspect that Willian is so far down the pecking order he will only used as relief.

goon

Personally I highly doubt we'll see much rotation. If there's one thing we've learnt from the FA Cup and PL subs is that even the slightest change can result in a big dip. At most I think we'll see Holding and Pepe come back in, and I doubt it will be for any of the key performers (i.e. Saka and ESR).