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Benfica 1-1 Arsenal: Talking Points from Battle in Rome

By Megan Garbutt

Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos after their team scored a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between SL Benfica and Arsenal at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos after their team scored a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between SL Benfica and Arsenal at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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David Luiz of Arsenal (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images) /

Backline continue to control the game

Arsenal’s defence has impressed a lot this season and the solidity is continuing to show.

Arsenal focus on their counter-attacks starting by the ball being played out from the back and the play building from there. This aspect of their style of play was certainly evident tonight and even when the defenders were put under pressure, they managed to keep composure and get themselves out of difficult situations.

Right-back Hector Bellerin had a brilliant game in the Arsenal shirt and there was some lovely one-touch football between him and Saka down the left-hand side.

The Spanish full-back had a 91% pass success rate as well as creating two chances in front of goal and he was able to get himself into the box plenty of times to help the momentum going.

Bellerin also won six duels and five ariels, which proves he really got stuck into the game and he didn’t stop till the final whistle.

Cedric impressed yet again on the left and Arsenal fans saw the return of Kieran Tierney in the second half.

As well as getting the assist for Saka’s equalising goal, the Portuguese created two chances and made three crosses, two accurate long balls and one key pass.

Tierney came on in the 64th minute and straight away got stuck in down the left-hand side, carrying the ball forward confidently and cutting into the middle.

Now that the Scottish full-back is back to full fitness, it will be interesting to see who Arteta lines up along the back against League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

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