Arsenal 3-2 Benfica (4-3 agg): 5 Talking Points as Aubameyang rescues the Gunners yet again | Europa League 2020-21

#3 Bukayo Saka is a gem

Bukayo Saka unleashed his wizardry yet again

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may be Arsenal's talisman and best player, but Bukayo Saka is a very, very close second. The precocious youngster displayed maturity beyond his years yet again in a virtouso performance deserving of the Man of the Match trophy.

The two assists and his telepathic understanding with Aubameyang are obvious feathers in a well-decorated hat. But it was Saka's relentless running even when Arsenal were 2-1 down and staring at defeat that spoke volumes.

The 19-year-old has a big heart married to big talent - he's a Champions League player playing in the Europa League. If Arsenal surround him with the right talent, a return to Europe's premier competition is on the cards sooner rather than later.

8 - Since the start of last season, no player has provided more assists in the UEFA Europa League than Bukayo Saka (8). Saviour. pic.twitter.com/zKeoKQYHxO

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 25, 2021

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#4 Arsenal's defence are a mystery unto themselves

Dani Ceballos was at fault for both of Benfica's goals

11th placed Arsenal have the third best defence in the Premier League as things stand, and yet the Gunners remain bafflingly likely to concede whenever they take the pitch.

Arsenal have gone six games without a clean sheet in all competitions.

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 25, 2021

This game was a perfect microcosm of the manner in which Arsenal concede. Arteta's men seem to have control over proceedings only for misfortune to befail them with startling regularity.

Dani Ceballos could hardly have predicted Diogo Goncalves' peach of a free kick when he stuck an errant leg out to trip him up. But the Spaniard uncharacteristically tried a risky backwards header in the build-up to Benfica's second goal.

These aren't situations that point to defensive failings per se, given that they're unlikely to be repeated. Yet if Arsenal are to achieve their UEFA Europa League ambitions, they need to shore up their backline sooner rather than later.

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#5 Mikel Arteta deserves more time

Mikel Arteta escaped some tough questions tonight

Mikel Arteta was three minutes away from facing some very tough questions regarding his future at the club. Crashing out to a struggling Benfica side when the club have UEFA Champions League ambitions would have had the fans turn on him further.

Yet, there are promising signs to be seen if one looks beyond the results. Arsenal do have a backbone about them now, with this group of players ready to fight for the shirt and their manager.

Arsenal have fallen behind in four of their eight Europa League games this season, but come back to win three and draw one.

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 25, 2021

In his post-match press conference, Arteta praised Dani Ceballos' commitment on a night when the Spaniard certainly would need all the encouragement to deal with the inevitable online abuse from the flocks of 'fans'.

This is the sign of a manager not fazed by his side's poor league standing, and there are tangible improvements on the pitch as well. Arsenal need to persist with Arteta, even if their UEFA Europa League campaign comes unstuck.