Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League 32 Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Benfica at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts after scoring 2 vs Benfica [with goals + Arteta comments]

Lee Hurley

Thu 25 February 2021 20:41, UK

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a brace against Benfica as Arsenal did their best to crash out of the Europa League.

Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League 32 Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Benfica at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

It was not, I think we can all safely say, the best night in Europe no matter how much BT Sport tried to spin it as a ‘glory night’.

There was no glory to be found in scraping past Benfica after gifting them all their goals and nearly going out on the away goals rule, despite playing neither of the legs at home.

In the end, a brace of assists from Bukayo Saka helped Aubameyang to a brace of goals that sandwiched Kieran Tierney’s goal, assisted by Willian no less.

After the game, Auba spoke to BT Sport.

“I think everyone is happy tonight,” he said. “Definitely I had this in my head but this is what gives me power every day to take the errors from the past and transform it to strength.”

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Speaking to the media at his post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta said about Aubameyang, “I completely trust him because we’re producing the chances and you know when Auba has chances he’s going to score goals.”

He also added, “Today it would have been really harsh with what has happened in the two legs to be out of the competition.”