Arsenal and Benfica drew 1-1 in their Europa League last 32 first leg tie. The Premier League side came from a goal down to grab a valuable away goal, although they may regret missing some chances which could have sealed a priceless away win.
One notable aspect of the game was the return to the Arsenal first-team for Kieran Tierney. The Scottish international had been out of action recently with a leg injury. However, he made his comeback as a second-half substitute.
Played for around half an hour
Tierney came on in the 63rd minute, and Mikel Arteta will no doubt be delighted that he managed to come through his return unscathed. It will be interesting to see if the 23-year-old returns to the starting line-up for the weekend game against Manchester City.
Kieran Tierney in action against Benfica (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
That will be a real test, as City are in excellent form and are running away with the Premier League title. Those are the type of games Tierney will be eager to play in though. But with the second leg against Benfica only a week away, Arteta could rest him, with the second leg in mind.
One of the team’s best players this season
Unsurprisingly, some Arsenal fans were delighted that Tierney was back in action. He has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season, and the responses on Twitter were full of praise for the player.
Kieran Tierney has recovered from injury (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
One fan went as far as to declare that the return of Tierney was the best news of the day. Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter to Tierney’s return to the Arsenal side:
Tierney coming back is the best news of the day.
— SamW (@SamW_AFC) February 18, 2021
Good to see Tierney back out on the pitch. Cedric unlucky to come off, Bellerin lucky to stay on
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) February 18, 2021
Tierney is back!!!!
Feel so excited seeing him out there on the pitch.
Martinelli too. He looks really hungry.
Manchester City will get a good run for their money on Sunday.— The Realist (@YusuffAzeez10) February 18, 2021
Aubameyang wasn’t on form tonight, on a positive note glad to see Tierney back 👍
— Ξll (@elliottrichmond) February 18, 2021
A feel good game despite the result @Arsenal & 1-1 is better than 0-0.
Happy to see Tierney back, Martinelli on & Odegaard growing.
Great spurts from Ceballos & Saka too.
Shame we didn’t take the extra chances but we seem the better side.— East Stand Alex (@CescVision) February 18, 2021
Decent result. Got the away goal against a good team, Auba was wasteful, we could be going into the second leg at least 2 goals up. Pepe should maybe have come on earlier. Happy to see Gabi and Tierney back. Onto our biggest test this season against City.
— Mark AFC (@BergHenryVieira) February 18, 2021
So so happy to see Martinelli & Tierney back. 😍
Saka (as usual) & Ødegaard were brilliant tonight. Auba pedestrian finishing. ESR average & doing a lot of defensive work.
Draw probably a fair result tonight. #UEL
— Gooner FPL (@Gooner_fpl) February 18, 2021