Benfica boss Jorge Jesus makes three changes to the side that started in their disappointing 1-1 draw with Moreirense last time out. Everton, Rafa and Seferovic all drop to the bench, with Verissimo, Pizzi and Waldschmidt taking their places in what appears to be a shift to a back three.
Arsenal substitutes: Willian, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Mat Ryan, Calum Chambers, Kieran Tierney, Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Martinelli, Karl Hein, Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari.
Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cedric Soares; Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Benfica substitutes: Gabriel Pires, Pedrinho, Haris Seferovic, Everton, Chiquinho, Nuno Tavares, Franco Cervi, Joao Ferreira, Rafa, Odisseas Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Gilberto.
Benfica XI (3-5-1-1): Helton Leite; Lucas Verissimo, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen; Diogo Goncalves, Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl, Pizzi, Alejandro Grimaldo; Gian-Luca Waldschmidt; Darwin Nunez.
Benfica’s failure to win their group – finishing second behind Rangers despite going unbeaten – has resulted in a tough draw for the Portuguese giants against Arsenal, who won all six of their group games.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Europa League round of 32 first leg clash between Benfica and Arsenal.
