Europa League: Round of 32, Second-Leg

ARSENAL 3 (Aubameyang 21, 87, Tierney 67)
BENFICA 2 (Goncalves 43, Silva 61)
Arsenal win 4-3 on aggregate

PIERRE-EMERICK Aubameyang saved Arsenal’s season with a dramatic late winner against Benfica tonight (Thursday) in Greece.

The Gunners captain scored three minutes from time to seal a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory at the Karaiskakis Stadium and book Arsenal’s place in the last-16 of the Europa League.

“Everyone is happy tonight,” beamed Aubameyang after the final whistle. “This is what gives me power every day, take errors from the past and transform them into strengths.

“The team showed a lot of character and we deserved the win. It was a hard game. What we showed tonight will be an example for the future.”

Nobody, however, was happier than Dani Ceballos that Aubameyang found a winner. The Spanish midfielder endured a calamitous night that had threatened to send Arsenal crashing out of Europe on away goals.

The north Londoners took the lead on 21 minutes when a well-worked move ended with Bukayo Saka releasing Aubameyang in behind with a brilliant reverse pass, and as Helton Leite raced out Arsenal’s top scorer simply dinked an exquisite effort over the onrushing goalkeeper.

There was a hint of offside but after a quick VAR review the goal was correctly given and the Gunners were in control.

But a rash challenge from Ceballos on Julian Weigl 25-yards from goal presented Benfica with a chance to get back into the match just before the break.

It was one that Diogo Goncalves accepted in style as the winger unleashed a stunning free-kick that was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his boot.

Aubameyang had the ball in the back of the net for a second time five minutes after the restart. But this time the fine margins were against the striker as VAR ruled in Benfica’s favour.

If it was harsh to blame Ceballos for Benfica’a first goal because of the quality of the free-kick, the Arsenal man wouldn’t escape judgement for their second.

On the hour mark he tried to head the ball back to Bernd Leno from a long punt forward, but ended up setting up Rafa Silva, who latched onto the stray pass, rounded the Arsenal goalkeeper, and walked the ball into the net.

With 30 minutes left on the clock Arsenal found themselves needing two goals to avoid going out on away goals – as strange as that was for a “home” match played in Athens.

One of those goals came from an unlikely source as Kieran Tierney produced a stunning finish. The left-back collected Willian’s pass, skipped away from two challenges in the box and unleashed a venomous effort into the far corner.

Then came another piece of magic from Saka, who made a yard of space in the box with a couple of step overs before bending his left-footed cross to the back post where Aubameyang was waiting to nod in from close range.

Mikel Arteta admitted that the last-gasp winner was as important for Ceballos as it was for Arsenal. The Gunners boss said: “I’m especially happy for Dani because he’s a player that lives this profession like it’s the most important thing in his life and when he made that mistake – if that would have cost the team to be out of the competition – it would have been mentally really tough.”

Reflecting on the win, Arteta added: “Well it certainly keeps the season going in a much better way.

“This competition is going to help us in the Premier League too for sure, to maintain everybody together, and to have something to play for.”

Arsenal will discover their last-16 opponents tomorrow (Friday) when the draw takes place in Nyon at midday. 

Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin (Lacazette, 78), Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos (Partey, 63), Xhaka, Odegaard (Elneny, 90), Smith Rowe (Willian, 63), Aubameyang, Saka (Chambers, 90)
Substitutes not used: Ryan, Hein, Cedric, Pepe, Mari, Nketiah, Martinelli

Benfica: Leite, Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Goncalves, Taarabt (Gabriel, 58), Weigl (Waldschmidt, 90), Silva, Grimaldo (Tavares, 85), Pizzi (Everton, 57), Seferovic (Nunez, 57)
Substitutes not used: Svilar, Vlachodimos, Gilberto, Cervi, Chiquinho, Pedrinho, Ramos