Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the line for Arsenal against Benfica
(Picture: ES Composite)Thomas Partey is on the Arsenal bench for tonight’s crucial Europa League clash with Benfica.
The midfielder has been struggling with a hamstring issue of late, but did travel to Athens and is in the matchday squad for the last-32 second-leg tie, though not deemed fit enough to start.
Dani Ceballos starts alongside Granit Xhaka in central midfield with Partey a substitute.
The defence shows one change from Rome last week, with Kieran Tierney coming in for Cedric Soares.
In attack, Mikel Arteta opts for that familiar, youthful supporting three of Emile Smith Rowe, Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka supporting captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up top.
That is a fourth start in 12 days for Odegaard, who had made just nine appearances this season before joining Arsenal in January.
Starting lineups
Arsenal starting XI: Leno, Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang
Subs: Ryan, Hein, Cedric, Chambers, Mari, Elneny, Partey, Willian, Pepe, Nketiah, Martinelli, Lacazette
Benfica starting XI: Helton Leite, Lucas Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Goncalves, Taarabt, Weigl, Rafa Silva, Grimaldo, Pizzi, Seferovic
Subs: Svilar, Gilberto, Everton, Pires, Nunez, Waldschmidt, Cervi, Chiquinho, Pedrinho, Tavares, Goncalo Ramos, Vlachodimos
Thursday 5.55pm GMT, BT Sport
Venue: Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers
Injured: Holding (concussion protocols)
