Arsenal boss Arteta explains why Willian best option for victory over Benfica | OneFootball

Icon: Tribal Football

Tribal Football

·26 February 2021

Arsenal boss Arteta explains why Willian best option for victory over Benfica

Article image:Arsenal boss Arteta explains why Willian best option for victory over Benfica

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained going with Willian for Thursday's Europa League win against Benfica.

The Brazilian winger played a role as Kieran Tierney fired in an equaliser, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed a late winner.


OneFootball Videos


Speaking afterwards, Arteta discussed the decision behind wanting to bring on Willian instead of either Nicolas Pepe or Gabriel Martinelli.

Arteta said: "Because there wasn't much space to run in behind.

"It was a really tight two lines of 4-4-1 or 5-3-2 at times.

"They were a really low block not much space to run apart from when they set the line around the 18-yard box.

"So you need people to unlock that special qualities in tight spaces to create moments and I think Willy he was really helpful tonight."

View publisher imprint