Benfica 1-1 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Saka cancels out Pizzi penalty to give Gunners slight advantage in Rome

GOODNIGHT FROM ROME

That’s all from the Italian capital on a night where there was nothing to separate Benfica and Arsenal as the sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Gunners may have lost their 100% European record this season, but they are more than alive in this tie as they prepare for the second leg in Athens next Thursday.

Thanks for reading, and goodnight.

CAPTAIN’S LOG

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken to social media to congratulate Bukayo Saka on his goal, and hold his hands up as to his missed chances.

Thankfully, no photos of his new tattoo this time.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Relive the action in the form of Mark Irwin’s match report as Arsenal draw 1-1 with Benfica in Rome.

SAKA SPEAKS

Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka again produced a performance beyond his years, but was a frustrated figure at full time as his side failed to capitalise on their dominance to register a first leg lead.

We had a lot of chances and we’re frustrated. We dominated the game and they just had a lucky penalty which I don’t think should have been given. However, it’s not the worst result and we have got an away goal.

Bukayo SakaBT Sport

Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s goalscorer – but frustrated not to end on the winning side.

ODEGAARD EXCITES

Martin Odegaard was certainly one of the bright spots for Arsenal in Rome this evening, playing in that creative hole behind the forward line.

The Real Madrid loanee ended the game with 92% success rate for completing pass and created three key opportunities.

ADVANTAGE ARSENAL?

The Gunners may not have got the positive result they would have wanted, but can take heart that history is on their side when it comes to capitalising on an unbeaten first leg away from home.

However, they have never before played the home return on a neutral ground without supporters in attendance.

OH AUBA

The drop in Arsenal’s performance from the weekend was perhaps epitomised by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s evening.

The Arsenal captain failed to build on Sunday’s hat-trick, was too often on the peripherals, and was guilty of an awful miss midway through the first half.

ARSENAL OFF COLOUR AND OFFSIDE

After running riot against Leeds on Sunday, it was a frustrating night for Arsenal’s attackers.

Time and time again, the Gunners forward line found themselves thwarted by the offside flag as they looked to penetrate the Benfica defence.

Their ten offside calls are the most by an Arsenal team in over seven years.

FT: BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

It ends level at the Stadio Olimpico. A competitive game short on chances burst into life in the space of three second half minutes. First, Benfica captain Pizzi converted from the spot after Emile Smith Rowe had handled, but moments later, Bukayo Saka equalised by thumping home Cedric’s cross. It’s all to play for in Athens.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE IS BLOWN IN ROME!

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

90+4. Xhaka ends the second half just as he did the first: with a hopeless, aimless crossfield ball.

Thankfully this one doesn’t play his team into trouble, and the game is going to end all square.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

90. Mohamed Elneny is on in what seems like the 482nd substitution of the game. Off goes Dani Ceballos.

Oh, and Willian is on too. Make that 483. Martin Odegaard makes way.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time played.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

89. Sound the Arsenal offside klaxon!

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

88. Benfica are playing keep ball. I’m not sure we’re going to see much more in the way of goalmouth action.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

86. Both teams may now have settled for the draw ahead of next Thursday’s return game in Athens.

A reminder that although these two ties are being played on neutral grounds, away goals do count.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

84. Verissimo is indeed unable to continue, and so Jorge Jesus alters his change with Chiquinho introduced instead.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

82. Benfica are set to introduce Gilberto, but are holding fire on the change because of an injury to Verissimo.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

80. There are now more Gabriels on the pitch than in a Hertfordshire boarding school.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

77. Some more changes for the final stages.

Mikel Arteta throws on Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe.

In the home ranks, Adel Taarabt is replaced by Gabriel.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

75. It’s not Aubameyang’s night.

The forward looks as though he’s finally going to get his name on the scoresheet as he outpaces Verissimo, but opts to check back and is promptly tackled by the Brazilian debutant.

The centre-back’s intervention nearly catches out his compatriot Helton, who had come rushing off his line, but there’s not enough pace on the ball to truly worry the home side with the goalkeeper comfortably diving on the danger.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

73. Much better from Everton!

The substitute goes close to restoring Benfica’s lead with a burst down the left followed by a curling towards the far corner. Inches wide!

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

71. Arsenal are pushing, probing and pressurising Benfica.

A lovely Smith Rowe cross is brilliantly cut out by Verissimo before the presence of Tierney wins the visitors another corner.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

69. Benfica substitute Everton may not be up to speed with the game yet, and is easily dispossessed with a number of teammates well placed.

It’s the worst Everton performance since the Fulham game last weekend.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

67. After looking so stale a couple of months ago, this attacking Arsenal three behind Aubameyang is exciting and full of young energy.

Saka, Smith Rowe and Odegaard have all caught the eye at times tonight.

BENFICA 1-1 ARSENAL

64. It’s substitution time.

Kieran Tierney is on for Cedric, so soon after the departing full-back had provided an assist for Saka.

Also off is Benfica’s goalscorer, Pizzi. The captain is replaced by Haris Seferovic while Everton is also on for Darwin Nunez.