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Europa League last-32 draw: Luckless Arsenal handed tough draw

By on December 14, 2020

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal’s bad luck continued today after we were drawn to play Benfica in the last-32 of the Europa League following today’s draw in Switzerland.

Our Premier League woes stooped to new depths on Sunday night following our disastrous defeat at home to Burnley but Europe has been something of a salvation for Mikel Arteta as we made light work of qualifying for the knockout stages.

A perfect record of six wins from our six games meant not only did we finish eight points clear of Group B, but we become the only club in any European competition to maintain a 100 percent record in the group stages.

However, luck was against us in today’s last-32 draw as Arsenal have now been pitted against Benfica – who were one of the toughest teams we could have got. The Portuguese outfit are a very dangerous side so it will be a tough task over two legs – particularly the away trip.

If we had to play them tomorrow I wouldn’t fancy our chances as the club is in a right mess. The good news is we’ve got a few months before the games to get our confidence back. Benfica also finished second in Group D behind Rangers so Arsenal should be good enough to win over two legs.

The first leg will be played in Portugal on Thursday 18th February before the second leg in north London the following week.

Elsewhere, Tottenham will play some Austrian farmers [Wolfsberger], Leicester drew Slavia Prague but Manchester United also got a nightmare draw after being pitted against Real Sociedad.