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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Cesc Fabregas disagrees with Mikel Arteta about Arsenal's 'game-changer' after Benfica win

Arsenal will be in the hat for Friday's Europa League round of 16 draw.

For long periods against Benfica on Thursday evening it seemed as if Mikel Arteta's side would be crashing out of the competition at the round of 32 stage for the second year in a row.

However, an 87th-minute header from captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saved Arsenal's blushes and kept their chances of lifting the trophy come May very much alive.

With two goals to his name on an important night for the Gunners, it's safe to say the 31-year-old led by example in Athens, while Kieran Tierney played a vital role with a strike to make it 2-2.

But arguably the pick of the bunch for the Gunners was Bukayo Saka.

The 19-year-old started in attack alongside Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard, and Emile Smith Rowe and simply pulled his side over the line with two assists.

And a certain Mr. Cesc Fabregas took note of what Saka did.

Taking to social media after the game, Fabregas had some kind words about the young forward.

"Saka is such a good player. Such a maturity and intelligence for his age," the former Gunners midfielder said on Twitter. "Game changer."

Fabregas labelling Saka a "game-changer" is certainly an exciting prospect for Arsenal fans to look forward to as the teenager continues to develop.

Over the course of the two legs, the England international had a hand in all but one of the Gunners' four goals - scoring in the first-leg and providing a couple of assists for Aubameyang in the return clash.

Interestingly, Arteta used the word "game-changer" to describe one of his Arsenal players following the win over Benfica, but about Willian instead of Saka.

"Willian specifically I think he changed the game," he said of the Brazilian's display. "He gave us much more composure in moments, produced some creativity, produced the goal for Kieran and we need everybody on board.

"In this competition having the ability to make five subs that’s a big bonus."

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