Arsenal’s predicted lineup: Thomas Partey returns to face Benfica
by Kian Long
Arsenal face a visit from Benfica as they host the Portuguese team in the final leg of their Europa League battle. The Gunners go into this one with the away goal advantage as they scored in the first leg which finished at a 1-1 stalemate, but the last thing we need is for Mikel Arteta to rest on his laurels.
That said, the Spaniard will need to select a strong lineup. Here’s what I think he will go with…
Arsenal’s number 1, Bernd Leno
Leno is slowly but surely starting to pick up his confidence again after his howler against Wolves some weeks ago. He is Arsenal’s first-choice shot-stopper and given his improvement this season, I don’t think he’ll make way in the starting lineup anytime soon. Safe hands, I hope.
given the nod</a> to return to action against Benfica, which is perfect for Arteta. He will, of course, want the Ghanaian international to boss the midfield against Leicester City so he will be cautious of giving him the full ninety but as far as Partey is concerned, evert minute is a step closer to full fitness again.</p>
<p>Granit Xhaka will obviously start alongside him, as he has been the most important and improved midfielder under Arteta. On the attacking side of things, I predict Emile Smith Rowe to be given the go ahead, mainly due to rotation purposes and the busy schedule of fixtures. Odegaard will sit thi one out.</p><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_482079" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-482079" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/24/arsenal-lineup-thomas-partey-benfica/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1193086380-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal’s talisman will make way for Lacazette</h2>
<p>In the reverse fixture, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/24/arsenal-lineup-thomas-partey-benfica/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d5dd5f1f/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> essentially provided nothing. I’m always hesitant to ridicule him after such performances because he is the captain, but it shouldn’t be this way. Arteta should be more stern and if ANY player is in terrible form, they should be benched. That said, I think <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/24/arsenal-lineup-thomas-partey-benfica/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexandre Lacazette</a> will come in to replace the Gabon international. He is more reliable in games like this, and besides, Auba isn’t a bad option to bring off the bench.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/24/arsenal-lineup-thomas-partey-benfica/"https://fbref.com/en/players/bc7dc64d/Bukayo-Saka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bukayo Saka</a> will start alongside the French striker as his energy is always important in the lineup. I don’t see the need to rest him because he is always rearing to go and is our out-and-out best player. On the other side, there is only one option; Nicolas Pepe. After all, anyone but Willian!</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 reasons for Arsenal to take Europa League seriously" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/17/arsenal-3-mikel-arteta-europa-league/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/24/arsenal-lineup-thomas-partey-benfica/"https://playingfor90.com/2021/02/17/arsenal-3-mikel-arteta-europa-league/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 reasons for Arsenal to take Europa League seriously </a> </div>
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<p>How do you think Arsenal will lineup in this match?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">