Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero for Arsenal on Thursday as his late winner ensured his side did not slip out of the Europa League at the last-32 stage for the second season running.
The Gunners were heading out of the competition with minutes left on the clock as Benfica looked set to progress on away goals.
That was until Aubameyang’s timely intervention when he nodded home Bukayo Saka’s cross to book Arsenal’s place in Friday’s draw for the last-16.
Some of Europe’s elite clubs have also made it through into the next round, including the likes of Ajax, AC Milan and Manchester United.
But former Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says there is one side he is particularly keen for his old club to avoid.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late goal sent Arsenal through past Benfica (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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“Well, I wouldn’t want to get Rangers,” he told talkSPORT. “I think for Arsenal that’s a really tricky game.
“The way Steven Gerrard is approaching games, going all-out attack – look, they’re conceding, very exciting game against Antwerp but, he’s done the job again.
“Last-16, they [Rangers] will be confident they can go a long way in this tournament.
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“I think Manchester United will be favourites, and then you’ve got to look at clubs like Spurs, AC Milan, Arsenal, clubs like that.
“And then obviously Rangers. I wouldn’t want to draw Rangers at the moment.”
Gerrard’s side produced another thrilling encounter with Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp, beating them 5-2 at Ibrox after edging the first leg 4-3.
Who will win the Europa League? Have your say below.
Rangers made it through after two thrilling fixtures against Antwerp (Image: Getty Images)
The Scottish club have not gone further than the last-16 in any European competition since 2008, but with Gerrard at the helm and the domestic title virtually in the bag, there is plenty of optimism around the Gers.
Man Utd and Tottenham both made light work of their respective opponents, while Milan only just scraped through on away goals past Serbian side Crvena zvezda.
Meanwhile the Premier League lost one of its representatives in the competition as Leicester suffered a shock defeat to Slavia Prague.
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Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan and Ajax are all in the hat for Friday’s draw as the Europa League heats up ahead of the last-16 after several thrilling ties
