Aubameyang leads Arsenal attack while Thomas Partey benched against Benfica

Arsenal set to face Benfica in the second leg of the last-32 tie. The game is being played in Athens, Greece instead of Emirates stadium due to new Covid-19 rules. 

The game is expected to kick off at 6:55pm GMT on Thursday evening. 

Recall that the first leg ended in a score draw against the Portuguese side at Stadio Olimpico stadium in Rome. 

Pizzi scored from the penalty spot before Bukayo Saka netted equaliser two minutes later. 

Mikel Arteta has returned David Luiz to pair Gabriel Magalhães due to Rob Holding absence following injury sustained against Manchester City last week. 

Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin will hold the left and right flanks for the Gunners. 

Mikel Arteta has recalled Dani Ceballos will partner Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park for the Gunners. 

While trio of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard and Smith Rowe retains their forward position.

One good news for Arsenal is that Thomas Partey who makes the bench. The midfielder has recovered from injury and he has been passed fit. 

Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerín, David Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Smith Rowe, Ødegaard, Saka; Aubameyang

Benfica XI: Helton, Diogo Gonçalves, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Lucas Veríssimo, Grimaldo, Weigl, Taarabt, Rafa, Pizzi, Seferovic