Hector Bellerin Arsenal FC EPL
Hector Bellerin Arsenal FC

Arsenal beat Leeds United in the Premier League last Sunday and in midweek they take on Benfica in the Round of 32 of the Europa League.

The Gunners have gotten back on track in the league after losing two games on the trot and the 4-2 win over Leeds will be a huge confidence booster right before they get back into Europe.

Arsenal are 10th on the league table right now and there’s a very small chance they will be able to finish in the top-four this season. And this means that winning the Europa League will be an added incentive to Mikel Arteta.

Arteta has a very small injury list going into this game so the manager does have the luxury to rest a few of his first-team regulars, especially since they face Manchester City in the league next weekend.

Arsenal team news vs Benfica:

Mathew Ryan is the backup keeper at Arsenal now so Arteta does have the option to use him against Benfica but we doubt if the manager will want to drop Bernd Leno to the bench.

Gabriel and Holding played in central defence on Sunday but there’s a big chance that Luiz could be rested in midweek as Rob Holding comes back into the side.

Kieran Tierney is still recovering from his knee injury and the manager has hinted that he will not be ready for Thursday’s encounter.

The manager said after the Leeds win, according to the club’s official website: “But probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran, because probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team. But I don’t know how it is going to evolve when he gets a little bit closer to training with the group.”

Thomas Partey picked up a thigh injury last week and he will take a bit longer to fully recover meaning Ceballos is likely to get another start in the middle of the pitch.

Xhaka has played a lot of games on the trot and it will not be a total surprise to see him drop to the bench and someone like Elneny come into the side.

Odegaard featured in the attacking midfielder’s role against Leeds United and the Real Madrid loanee has done enough to keep his place in the side vs Benfica as well.

Nicolas Pepe will hopefully get a chance to play on the left wing since Arteta will want to rest Aubameyang in midweek since Arsenal will take on Manchester City next Sunday.

Aubameyang also picked up a small knock against Leeds United and this is another big reason for Arteta to rest the Gabon international.

Bukayo Saka has been one of the brightest stars for Arsenal this season and the youngster will once again feature on the right wing at the Stadio Olimpico.

Gabriel Martinelli remained an unused sub on Sunday but he could come into the side this time around and play up front. If Martinelli gets a start on Thursday then Lacazette will once again miss out.

Arsenal’s predicted line-up vs Benfica:

Predicted Line-up: Bernd Leno; Rob Holding, Gabriel, Bellerin, Cedric; Xhaka/Elneny, Dani Ceballos, Odegaard; Nicolas Pepe, Martinelli, Saka.

Arsenal predicted line-up vs Benfica
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Benfica

Injury updates via Premier Injuries.

Read: Arteta drops a major tactical hint as the Gunners beat Leeds United in the PL.