Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued Arsenal from the clutches of Europa League turmoil and salvaged their campaign in the competition from the jaws of defeat as his late winner secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Benfica in Greece.
Arsenal were on the verge of elimination at the round-of-32 stage for the second successive season after Diogo Goncalves scored a stunning first-half free-kick and Rafa Silva profited off a costly Dani Ceballos error to put Benfica ahead after Aubameyang’s opener.
However, with half an hour to salvage their season left, the Gunners rose to the challenge in a thrilling fashion and came out unscathed.
Kieran Tierney hit a venomous strike for Arsenal’s second and it sort of sparked the comeback. It was then sealed with three minutes remaining as Aubameyang peeled away to the back post to head in Bukayo Saka’s cross, and Arsenal into the last 16 of the Europa League after a 4-3 aggregate win.
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Arsenal have reached the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League in three of the four seasons they have appeared in the competition, with the only exception being in 2019-20 (eliminated at the last 32).
- Benfica suffered their first UEFA Europa League defeat since February 2020 against Shakhtar Donetsk (1-2), ending their eight-game unbeaten run in the competition.
- Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (20) has more assists among English players for Premier League clubs in all competitions since the start of last season than Bukayo Saka (18), following his two assists this evening.
- Diogo Gonçalves’ equaliser for Benfica was their first direct free-kick goal in the UEFA Europa League since February 2014 (Nicolás Gaitán v PAOK Salonika).
- Kieran Tierney became the first Scotsman to score for Arsenal in a major European competition since Willie Young against IFK Göteborg in March 1980 in the Cup Winners Cup quarter-final.
Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (Agg: 4-0): First leg heroics enough as United are safely through to the next round
Manchester United are through to the Europa League last 16 just as they have done in all of the five times they found themselves in the same position as their goalless draw with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford saw them through 4-0 on aggregate.
Real Sociedad had an early opportunity to maybe pull a surprise but Mikel Oyarzabal struck a penalty high and wide after Dan James brought him down in the box.
Bruno Fernandes also hit the bar with a superb effort later in the first half for Manchester United, while substitute Axel Tuanzebe had a second-half header ruled out by VAR for a Victor Lindelof foul.
The game however will be remembered for second-half substitute Shola Shoretire who became the youngest-ever Manchester United player in a European game at 17 years and 23 days, while summer signing Amad Diallo made his home debut from the bench as well.
