BENFICA RATINGS: Helton Leite – 6. Despite Arsenal’s dominance, Leite’s involvement in the game wasn’t as prominent as the stats might suggest as the Gunners’ attacking unit struggled to hit the target throughout the 90 minutes. Could do little about Saka’s goal and made a number of fair if unspectacular saves otherwise. PA
BENFICA RATINGS: Helton Leite – 6. Despite Arsenal’s dominance, Leite’s involvement in the game wasn’t as prominent as the stats might suggest as the Gunners’ attacking unit struggled to hit the target throughout the 90 minutes. Could do little about Saka’s goal and made a number of fair if unspectacular saves otherwise. PA
Jan Vertonghen – 7. Can consider himself fortunate to not have been booked after nibbling at Saka throughout the first half – a tactic that certainly frustrated the visiting midfielder. But performed well in the hosts’ back three and will be pleased with the result. PA
Jan Vertonghen – 7. Can consider himself fortunate to not have been booked after nibbling at Saka throughout the first half – a tactic that certainly frustrated the visiting midfielder. But performed well in the hosts’ back three and will be pleased with the result. PA
Nicolas Otamendi – 6. Though Arsenal didn’t move the ball around as quick as they are capable of, Otamendi defended well and frustrated the visitors whose clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. That said, holes did appear – something which will need to be corrected for the second leg. AFP
Nicolas Otamendi – 6. Though Arsenal didn’t move the ball around as quick as they are capable of, Otamendi defended well and frustrated the visitors whose clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. That said, holes did appear – something which will need to be corrected for the second leg. AFP
Lucas Verissimo – 6. Will be delighted to make a full first-team debut in Benfica’s Europa League campaign and played well with the experienced figures of Vertonghen and Otamendi by his side. Reuters
Lucas Verissimo – 6. Will be delighted to make a full first-team debut in Benfica’s Europa League campaign and played well with the experienced figures of Vertonghen and Otamendi by his side. Reuters
Pizzi – 7. Struck a well-taken penalty shortly into the second half to put Benfica ahead before Saka promptly equalised at the other end. Ultimately, the penalty was one of few highlights for Pizzi who will perhaps admit himself a 1-1 draw was a fortunate result. EPA
Pizzi – 7. Struck a well-taken penalty shortly into the second half to put Benfica ahead before Saka promptly equalised at the other end. Ultimately, the penalty was one of few highlights for Pizzi who will perhaps admit himself a 1-1 draw was a fortunate result. EPA
Adel Taarabt – 7. Turned well in midfield to advance play forward on the rare occasion that space opened up for Benfica inside the centre circle. Despite holding defensive responsibilities, Taarabt advanced play forward well too and sparked life into the hosts’ game. PA
Adel Taarabt – 7. Turned well in midfield to advance play forward on the rare occasion that space opened up for Benfica inside the centre circle. Despite holding defensive responsibilities, Taarabt advanced play forward well too and sparked life into the hosts’ game. PA
Alejandro Grimaldo – 7. Executed the occasional tackle well in midfield to cut out play and looked to advance play forwards when possible too. His efforts perhaps went a little under the radar as the likes of Nunez and Waldschmidt continue to struggle for goals up front. Reuters
Alejandro Grimaldo – 7. Executed the occasional tackle well in midfield to cut out play and looked to advance play forwards when possible too. His efforts perhaps went a little under the radar as the likes of Nunez and Waldschmidt continue to struggle for goals up front. Reuters
Julian Weigl – 6 Arguably the weaker link in Benfica’s busy midfield that was largely dictated by the out-of-possession movement of Odegaard. Will perhaps need to drop in a bit deeper next week assuming Arsenal’s star man adopts a similar role that created so much time and space. PA
Julian Weigl – 6 Arguably the weaker link in Benfica’s busy midfield that was largely dictated by the out-of-possession movement of Odegaard. Will perhaps need to drop in a bit deeper next week assuming Arsenal’s star man adopts a similar role that created so much time and space. PA
Diogo Goncalves – 6. Occasionally threatened down the right wing, but nothing major enough to concern Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta ahead of next week’s second leg. Will be looking to build on this evening’s performance if Benfica are to stand a chance of qualifying. AFP
Diogo Goncalves – 6. Occasionally threatened down the right wing, but nothing major enough to concern Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta ahead of next week’s second leg. Will be looking to build on this evening’s performance if Benfica are to stand a chance of qualifying. AFP
Darwin Nunez – 5. Nunez has been somewhat of a frustrating character for Benfica this term amid their struggle to establish a grip on their league campaign. Opportunities were few and far between for Benfica this evening, and the striker’s threat was rarely of concern to Arteta’s men. Getty
Darwin Nunez – 5. Nunez has been somewhat of a frustrating character for Benfica this term amid their struggle to establish a grip on their league campaign. Opportunities were few and far between for Benfica this evening, and the striker’s threat was rarely of concern to Arteta’s men. Getty
Luca Waldschmidt – 6. Minimal involvement in the game as Arsenal dominated proceedings in the opening half despite struggling to test home ‘keeper Leite. Continues to struggle for goals having scored just twice since mid-November. Taken off at half-time. Reuters
Luca Waldschmidt – 6. Minimal involvement in the game as Arsenal dominated proceedings in the opening half despite struggling to test home ‘keeper Leite. Continues to struggle for goals having scored just twice since mid-November. Taken off at half-time. Reuters
SUBSTITUTES: Rafa Silva (for Waldschmidt, 45) – 6. Came on to add some body to Benfica’s midfield and largely did his job. AFP
SUBSTITUTES: Rafa Silva (for Waldschmidt, 45) – 6. Came on to add some body to Benfica’s midfield and largely did his job. AFP
Everton Soares (for Nunez, 63) – 6. A lack of opportunity up front as Arsenal’s superior possession meant opportunities were at a premium. EPA
Everton Soares (for Nunez, 63) – 6. A lack of opportunity up front as Arsenal’s superior possession meant opportunities were at a premium. EPA
Haris Seferovic (for Pizzi, 63) – 6. Little impression on the game as goalscorer Pizzi made way. Reuters
Haris Seferovic (for Pizzi, 63) – 6. Little impression on the game as goalscorer Pizzi made way. Reuters
Chiquinho (for Verissimo, 85) – N/A. Introduced too late to make an impression with game already fizzing out. Gabriel Pires (for Taarabt, 77) – N/R. Appeared content to hold his role and see the game out in midfield. PA
Chiquinho (for Verissimo, 85) – N/A. Introduced too late to make an impression with game already fizzing out. Gabriel Pires (for Taarabt, 77) – N/R. Appeared content to hold his role and see the game out in midfield. PA
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 6. Was forced into making a couple of saves, but generally experienced a quiet game as struggling Benfica found it hard to make an impression on the Gunners’ back four. Dived the correct way for the penalty but was short on reach and consequently conceded. Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 6. Was forced into making a couple of saves, but generally experienced a quiet game as struggling Benfica found it hard to make an impression on the Gunners’ back four. Dived the correct way for the penalty but was short on reach and consequently conceded. Reuters
Cedric Soares – 7. A solid defensive performance throughout, and he put his body on the line when required to keep Benfica’s attacking threats to a minimum. Advanced play forward well too and will be pleased to have notched an assist when setting up Saka after receiving a fine pass from Odegaard. PA
Cedric Soares – 7. A solid defensive performance throughout, and he put his body on the line when required to keep Benfica’s attacking threats to a minimum. Advanced play forward well too and will be pleased to have notched an assist when setting up Saka after receiving a fine pass from Odegaard. PA
Gabriel – 6. Still establishing himself back in the first team and can reflect on another solid performance. Appears to be growing in confidence, but admittedly Benfica’s lack of urgency up front meant this evening’s game wasn’t his greatest test. Getty
Gabriel – 6. Still establishing himself back in the first team and can reflect on another solid performance. Appears to be growing in confidence, but admittedly Benfica’s lack of urgency up front meant this evening’s game wasn’t his greatest test. Getty
David Luiz – 6. Playing against his former club, Luiz played well but was rarely tested as Benfica struggled to make an impression on the visitors’ goal. Could be a key figure in the second leg down to his experience alone. Reuters
David Luiz – 6. Playing against his former club, Luiz played well but was rarely tested as Benfica struggled to make an impression on the visitors’ goal. Could be a key figure in the second leg down to his experience alone. Reuters
Hector Bellerin – 7. Linked up superbly with Saka on more than one occasion to help advance play forward for the Gunners with relative ease. Would have been in disbelief to see Aubameyang place a close-range shot from his cross wide on 18 minutes when it appeared easier to score than miss. Getty
Hector Bellerin – 7. Linked up superbly with Saka on more than one occasion to help advance play forward for the Gunners with relative ease. Would have been in disbelief to see Aubameyang place a close-range shot from his cross wide on 18 minutes when it appeared easier to score than miss. Getty
Bukayo Saka – 7. It can be argued that Saka could have popped the ball around quicker to prevent Benfica establishing their shape so easily. But Saka played with plenty of confidence and found the net from close range to make up for an earlier scuffed shot that drifted underwhelmingly wide of goal. PA
Bukayo Saka – 7. It can be argued that Saka could have popped the ball around quicker to prevent Benfica establishing their shape so easily. But Saka played with plenty of confidence and found the net from close range to make up for an earlier scuffed shot that drifted underwhelmingly wide of goal. PA
Granit Xhaka – 6. Enjoyed a fair game, but a standout moment of madness at the conclusion of the first half when playing a diagonal ball when simpler options were available almost left him red-faced. Getty
Granit Xhaka – 6. Enjoyed a fair game, but a standout moment of madness at the conclusion of the first half when playing a diagonal ball when simpler options were available almost left him red-faced. Getty
Dani Ceballos – 7. Executed a number of punishing passes that deserved much more than what Arsenal’s forwards delivered. Played well defensively too and put his body on the line to save Xhaka’s embarrassments at the conclusion of the first half. AFP
Dani Ceballos – 7. Executed a number of punishing passes that deserved much more than what Arsenal’s forwards delivered. Played well defensively too and put his body on the line to save Xhaka’s embarrassments at the conclusion of the first half. AFP
Martin Odegaard – 8. Arsenal’s man of the match. Played freely in central midfield and his movement both in and out of possession caused Benfica significant problems. His fantastic vision mixed with some fine passing was rewarded when he fed a killer ball to Cedric that led to Arsenal’s first goal. Getty
Martin Odegaard – 8. Arsenal’s man of the match. Played freely in central midfield and his movement both in and out of possession caused Benfica significant problems. His fantastic vision mixed with some fine passing was rewarded when he fed a killer ball to Cedric that led to Arsenal’s first goal. Getty
Emile Smith-Rowe – 7. Was switched out to the left by Mikel Arteta as Odegaard played the No.10 role. Initially his ball-carrying trait was perhaps missed in midfield, but Smith-Rowe played brightly throughout and his dynamic movement in possession was a real asset for the Gunners. Getty
Emile Smith-Rowe – 7. Was switched out to the left by Mikel Arteta as Odegaard played the No.10 role. Initially his ball-carrying trait was perhaps missed in midfield, but Smith-Rowe played brightly throughout and his dynamic movement in possession was a real asset for the Gunners. Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4. Fresh from his hat-trick at the weekend against Leeds United, Aubameyang appeared fatigued and delivered a laboured performance against Benfica. Missed a first-half sitter when guiding a near open-goal chance wide before fluffing his lines on more than one occasion in the second half too. A game to forget. PA
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4. Fresh from his hat-trick at the weekend against Leeds United, Aubameyang appeared fatigued and delivered a laboured performance against Benfica. Missed a first-half sitter when guiding a near open-goal chance wide before fluffing his lines on more than one occasion in the second half too. A game to forget. PA
SUBSTITUTES: Kieran Tierney (for Cedric, 63) – 5. Crossing was understandably rusty but nonetheless displayed a good work rate. A performance to build on. Getty
SUBSTITUTES: Kieran Tierney (for Cedric, 63) – 5. Crossing was understandably rusty but nonetheless displayed a good work rate. A performance to build on. Getty
Nicolas Pepe (for Aubameyang, 77) – N/A. Was lively in the penalty area but couldn’t make that all important impression on goal. AFP
Nicolas Pepe (for Aubameyang, 77) – N/A. Was lively in the penalty area but couldn’t make that all important impression on goal. AFP
Gabriel Martinelli (for Smith-Rowe, 77) – N/A. Lacked support from his teammates during the limited minutes he had. Willian (for Odegaard, 90) – N/A. No time granted to influence the game. Mohamed Elneny (for Ceballos, 90) – N/A. Came on in the dying minutes with little time to make an impact. PA
Gabriel Martinelli (for Smith-Rowe, 77) – N/A. Lacked support from his teammates during the limited minutes he had. Willian (for Odegaard, 90) – N/A. No time granted to influence the game. Mohamed Elneny (for Ceballos, 90) – N/A. Came on in the dying minutes with little time to make an impact. PA

Football

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face defining moment of season against Benfica in Europa League

Defeat for the Gunners in Thursday's last-32 second-leg tie would not only end their run in Europe, but also their hopes of returning to the Champions League

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

February 24, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Mikel Arteta has a 100 per cent record in finals with Arsenal. As a player, he won two Community Shields and one FA Cup final. As a manager, he has prevailed in both the Community Shield and the FA Cup. Now he approaches what he describes as another final.

It would be more accurate to say a Europa League last-32 second-leg tie could have a finality. With three months of the season remaining, it could end not merely Arsenal’s European run, but their bid to return to the Champions League.

Read More

Jose Mourinho hails 'special' Gareth Bale ahead of Europa League match with Wolfsberger

They are in the bottom half of the Premier League, 11 points off the top four. If that were accompanied by an early European exit, it would be enough to render their season a failure.

If the combination of an inexperienced manager and a youthful group of players always indicated it could be a year of transition, Arsenal's heavy investment in the contracts for the ageing pair of Willian and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the £50 million ($70m) purchase of Thomas Partey indicated an immediate aim to return to the top table. The gamble could backfire.

A 1-1 draw with Benfica last week leaves them imperilled on Thursday. "For us, it's a final," Arteta said. "It's a big season and a really important [game] mentally and confidence-wise. It's going to dictate if we're in another competition or not for a few more weeks. It's a really tough opponent.

"It's a Champions League team who have been playing in these types of games for many years with a manager with huge experience.”

The'fact Arteta rested Emile Smith Rowe and David Luiz for Sunday's defeat to Manchester City suggested his priorities have shifted. Publicly, he insisted Arsenal are competing on multiple fronts.

“Mathematically everything is possible,” he said. “You have to try so hard. We're going to do that in the league for sure. The Europa League gives you a completely different route and is a competition that we want to carry on playing, and try to win it.

"The better we are in the Europa League, the better we're going to be performing in the league and vice-versa. We need to be alive in both competitions.”

______________________________________________________________

Gallery: Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1

Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on February 21. Getty
Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on February 21. Getty
City's Ilkay Gundogan and Rob Holding of Arsenal challenge for a header. Reuters
City's Ilkay Gundogan and Rob Holding of Arsenal challenge for a header. Reuters
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. AFP
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. AFP
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard shows his frustration at the Emirates. PA
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard shows his frustration at the Emirates. PA
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno beats City's Raheem Sterling to the ball. Getty
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno beats City's Raheem Sterling to the ball. Getty
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and City's Ruben Dias battle for possession. Getty
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and City's Ruben Dias battle for possession. Getty
City's Raheem Sterling argues with referee Jonathon Moss. Reuters
City's Raheem Sterling argues with referee Jonathon Moss. Reuters
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka under pressure from City's Fernandinho. AFP
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka under pressure from City's Fernandinho. AFP
City's Joao Cancelo after missing a great chance to make it 2-0 in the second half. Reuters
City's Joao Cancelo after missing a great chance to make it 2-0 in the second half. Reuters
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva on the attack. Reuters
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva on the attack. Reuters
Raheem Sterling heads home for Manchester City. Getty
Raheem Sterling heads home for Manchester City. Getty
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. PA
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. PA
City's Raheem Sterling is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Arsenal. AFP
City's Raheem Sterling is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Arsenal. AFP
City defender John Stones under pressure from Arsenal attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. EPA
City defender John Stones under pressure from Arsenal attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. EPA
Arsenal's Kieran Tierney wins a header. Getty
Arsenal's Kieran Tierney wins a header. Getty
Arsenal defender Rob Holding takes an accidental knee to the face off City's Joao Cancelo. Getty
Arsenal defender Rob Holding takes an accidental knee to the face off City's Joao Cancelo. Getty
Rob Holding is treated by medical staff after the challenge by Joao Cancelo. Reuters
Rob Holding is treated by medical staff after the challenge by Joao Cancelo. Reuters

______________________________________________________________

Arsenal will be without the injured Rob Holding tonight while Partey will undergo a fitness test on his hamstring problem. The midfielder won the Europa League with Atletico Madrid in 2018 and has been excellent when fit but his Arsenal career has been pockmarked by injuries. He has been limited to 10 starts and has missed their last three games.

Another of Arsenal's money men presents a different sort of issue. Aubameyang missed a series of chances in last week's draw, reviving unwanted memories of last year's Europa League exit to Olympiakos, when he somehow failed to score from six yards.

Arteta shrugged off concerns about his captain, who is enduring his least prolific season as a Gunner. “I think the best way to talk is always on the pitch,” he said. “When he scored the hat-trick and he could have scored four or five against Leeds, he was again the main man.

"He could have scored a hat-trick against Benfica easily with his qualities and it would have been different. It's about putting the ball in the back of the net for him and that's how he gets joy.”

Benfica have drawn their last three games in all competitions and are a distant fourth in Portugal, 15 points adrift of leaders Sporting, but theirs is a glorious past.

Arteta is a fan of their greatest player, Eusebio, and has a pair of his boots. He said: “He was a player that created a massive admiration with a huge personality and charisma.”

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
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  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

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Match info

Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace

Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)

On Women's Day
Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)

Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
RESULT

Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

The bio:

Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.

Favourite food: My mum’s Chinese cooking.

Favourite film: Robocop, followed by The Terminator.

Hobbies: Off-roading, scuba diving, playing squash and going to the gym.

 

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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