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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says lack of space behind Benfica’s bottom line caused him to keep Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe on the bench in their 3-2 win over the Portuguese side on Thursday night. .
The Gunners were just three minutes away from crashing on away goals, despite both games being played in neutral venues, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired a late winner who saw them advance to the knockout stages of Europe. League.
Tied 1-1 after the first leg in Rome last weekArsenal took the lead with a goal through Aubameyang only for Diogo Goncalves to equalize with a fine free kick, awarded for a foul by Dani Ceballos.
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Ceballos’ defensive header then allowed Rafa Silva to accelerate to goal and put the Portuguese club ahead shortly after the hour.
Arteta, who needed his team to score twice to progress, threw Willian into the mix before knocking Alexandre Lacazette off the bench with 12 minutes to go.
Arsenal drew one through Kieran Tierney before Aubameyang scored a spectacular winner in the 87th minute when he nodded on Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Arteta left Martinelli and club record signing Pepe on the bench, but Arteta believes that bringing in Willian was the right thing to do.
Explaining his decision to leave Martinelli and Pepe on the bench in favor of Willian, Arteta said: “Because there wasn’t much room to run behind. It was two very narrow lines, 4-4-1-1, or 5-3-2 at times, they were a very, very low block, not much room to separate from when they laid the line around the 18-yard box.
“You need people to unlock that, with special qualities in tight spaces to create movement and I think Willi was really useful tonight.”
On Willian’s impact, Arteta added: “Willian specifically, I think he changed the game. It gave us a lot more composure in moments, produced some creativity, produced the goal for Kieran and we need everyone on board. “
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