Arsenal learned their Europa League fate on Monday, as they will face Portuguese giants Benfica in the knockout stages of the competition.
The Gunners have been dismal in the Premier League of late, winning just one of their last eight games whilst scoring only twice in that run.
Yet in the Europa League, Arsenal won all six of their group stage games, coasting through to the knockouts in style – but now they face a battle.
Arsenal face Benfica, who recorded a pair of draws against Rangers in their group stage campaign, but pose a threat to any side given their European pedigree and some of the quality in their side.
Ex-Spurs man Jan Vertonghen will hope to haunt Arsenal, but the Gunners may have their focus on Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan hitman joined Benfica from Almeria over the summer, and has excelled in Portugal with six goals and six assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.
Nunez will be Benfica’s main goal threat, and Arsenal will have to be wary of his impact – which they should be given that they allegedly want to sign him.
Four Four Two recently reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Nunez, as Arteta and co weigh up signing a new centre forward to try and solve their goal crisis.
Arsenal will only meet Benfica in February, but if they don’t sign a striker in January, this could be Nunez’s big audition for potential move to North London in the summer of 2021.
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