Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka was the star of the show as he helped the Gunners into the round of 16 of the Europa League at the expense of Portuguese giants Benfica. England player Bukayo Saka was the go-to man for Arsenal over the two legs as the Gunners were able to capitalise on his quality to navigate the tricky round of 32 tie with Benfica. With Benfica leading 1-0 in the first leg last week Thursday, Bukayo Saka scored a crucial away goal as hosts Benfica and Arsenal played a 1-1 draw. In the first leg played at the StadioOlimpico in Rome, Arsenal skipper Pierre-EmerickAubameyang missed several opportunities but his less experienced teammate Bukayo Saka was able to spare his blushes a bit. Bukayo Saka continued his good form against Benfica into the second leg as he produced two excellent assists to lead the Gunners to a 3-2 win at home to Benfica. With the help of the England national team star, Arsenal were able to record a 4-3 aggregate victory over their Portuguese opposition. Bukayo Saka provided an excellent pass for the aforementioned Pierre-EmerickAubameyang to open the scoring for Arsenal in the second leg at Athens. Arsenal were good value for that lead until Gunners midfielder Dani Ceballos committed a sloppy foul on the edge of the box. Benfica star DiogoGoncalves was on hand to punish the Spanish player from the resulting freekick with two minutes left to play in the first half.Dani Ceballos was culpable for the second Benfica goal scored by Rafa Silva on 57 minutes as he gave the ball away in a dangerous position. At that point, Arsenal needed two goals to qualify for the round of 16 ahead of Benfica. The impressive left-back Kieran Tierney produced a fine finish to equalise for his team towards the midway point of the second half to leave Arsenal within one goal of a place in the next round. England international Bukayo Saka was the man to provide that goalwhen all hopes was almost lost for the Gunners. He delivered with three minutes left for an excellent ball for Aubameyang to score the third goal for Arsenal. The Gunners were able to progress into the last 16 as a result of that late goal.

England player Bukayo Saka was rightly named the man-of-the-match for his performance against Benfica. He scored one goal and provided two assists over the two legs. Arsenal will now face Greek team Olympiacos in the next round.