Europa League: ‘We showed character,’ says Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring against Benfica in the Europa League at Athens on Thursday. PIC/AFP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice including a late winner as Arsenal qualified for the Last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 3-2 victory over Benfica in Greece, while Manchester United and Rangers cruised to the next round.

The Gabon striker put Arsenal ahead at the Karaiskakis stadium in Piraeus in their home leg of a tie relocated due to COVID-19 travel restrictions between Portugal and the UK. Diogo Goncalves levelled the contest with a magnificent free-kick and Rafa Silva gave Benfica a 2-1 lead on the night when he took advantage of an error from Dani Ceballos on the hour.

Kieran Tierney rifled in an equaliser and Aubameyang headed in the decisive goal from Bukayo Saka's cross on 87 minutes, earning the Gunners a 4-3 aggregate victory and saving them from an unusual away goals exit following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rome.

"Everyone is happy tonight. This is what gives me power every day, take errors from the past and transform to strength," Aubameyang told BT Sport. "The team showed a lot of character and we deserved the win. It was a hard game. What we showed tonight will be an example for the future."

United cemented their place in Friday's draw with a 0-0 draw to Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, Leicester City were knocked out after sliding to a 0-2 loss at home to Czech champions Slavia Prague. Rangers progressed following their 5-2 win over Belgian side Antwerp at Ibrox.

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