Match Reaction v Benfica ("home"),

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well what a sack of shit that was.

Let's just move on.

[Marc Overmars]

So much harder than it needed to be but well done for the comeback.

On we go.

[WMUG]

Thank fuck for that.

[Mac76]

We need to be so much better with team selections and subs, we're just winging it at the moment

[Chippy]

We need to be so much better with team selections and subs, we're just winging it at the moment

This is what worries me about Arteta. He doesn't seem to know IMO.

He has admitted that Saka (another two assists last night) has been our saviour but is now fatigued after playing so much football.

We have to be careful with Saka, ESR, Tierney etc. These are exceptional players and the future of Arsenal Football Club.

Incidentally, have these three signed long term contracts?

[Ollie the Optimist]

We need to be so much better with team selections and subs, we're just winging it at the moment

Arteta just brings on Willian whatever the circumstances. there is no logic to it

[Letters]

Arteta just brings on Willian whatever the circumstances. there is no logic to it

He got an assist last night.

Impact sub

[IBK]

I want to be happy with the win, but unfortunately tonight, together with last week's first leg and the weekend have dampened my optimism that we are on the verge of somethig better under Arteta. Benfica aren't that good. We basically gifted them all 3 of their goals (all 3 were down to our mistakes), and we were so profligate last week, but also lacked any killer instinct against Citeh.

What I liked was the character shown by our players - particularly Tierney; Saka and Auba - to get back into the game, but I despair a bit about our inability to manage a game properly. Game 'management' means more than slowing the ball down and keeping possession - which we seemed to do for the middle part of this game - and which was precisely what Benfica wanted. We were terrorising them when we ran at their defence in the first part of the match, but then seemed to ease off and all teams must play for our inevitable head fuck that gifts them a goal. Looks to me like lack of confidence and that will always be exploited.

I'd love to know where we are in the league table of mistakes leading to opposition goals. This has to be more than simply bad fortune - there is a systemic issue heer - and it makes us brittle as a team.

This was a get out of jail result for Arteta and it feels like one. Sorry I can feel more positive ATM about what on paper is an important win.

[dazthegooner]

One thing I have noticed is that we need another Partey type player as the midfield is weak without him.

[Gooner23]

I want to be happy with the win, but unfortunately tonight, together with last week's first leg and the weekend have dampened my optimism that we are on the verge of somethig better under Arteta. Benfica aren't that good. We basically gifted them all 3 of their goals (all 3 were down to our mistakes), and we were so profligate last week, but also lacked any killer instinct against Citeh.

What I liked was the character shown by our players - particularly Tierney; Saka and Auba - to get back into the game, but I despair a bit about our inability to manage a game properly. Game 'management' means more than slowing the ball down and keeping possession - which we seemed to do for the middle part of this game - and which was precisely what Benfica wanted. We were terrorising them when we ran at their defence in the first part of the match, but then seemed to ease off and all teams must play for our inevitable head fuck that gifts them a goal. Looks to me like lack of confidence and that will always be exploited.

I'd love to know where we are in the league table of mistakes leading to opposition goals. This has to be more than simply bad fortune - there is a systemic issue heer - and it makes us brittle as a team.

This was a get out of jail result for Arteta and it feels like one. Sorry I can feel more positive ATM about what on paper is an important win.

Agree with this.

Very happy to get through and great character shown at 2-1 down, but we really should have been comfortable against a very poor Benfica side. Fortunately the individual quality of Saka and Tierney bailed us out.

Still struggling with Arteta a bit. I see progress in certain areas but not convinced on his squad management. Very clearly has favourites, regardless of performances on the pitch. Feel like we've really lost our spark after that brief good run in January.