Ona Batlle beats the defender to get to the byline and stands up a cross to the back post.

Caitlin Foord meets the cross and heads across the face of goal, but nobody in red can get on the end of it and Benfica clear.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

What you've got is Russo playing in the ten, who is getting the ball to feet because she's deeper but you haven't necessarily got Smith coming or going - she's sort of just staying with the centre-backs.

Being a former defender, I thought this again in their game against Tottenham, she makes it easy for a defender because if you're standing next to me I'm thinking 'happy days I'm just going to stay with you the whole time' but I think that's what we're really lacking there, what is she offering us?

I think Smith for me, is better when she gets the ball and she's able to run at players. That's why I think she's better in a wider area.

Image source, Getty Images

Caitlin Foord runs onto an inch-perfect ball over the top of the Benfica defence, but just as she looks poised to shoot one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Catarina Amado appears out of nowhere with a superb goal-saving slide tackle.

Benfica made a change at the break - Andreia Norton replaced Pauleta, who appeared to pick up a knock in the first half.

Arsenal begin the second half.

It's fair to say that Arsenal had the better of the first half.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

It's great for Arsenal to get a goal going into the break. Benfica holding on towards the end there with the last-ditch defending but I think for Arsenal they'll be the team that's more pleased coming in at the half-time break but both teams I think can definitely increase it as well.

That's it for the first half.

Arsenal only have one goal to show for their efforts, but it was a brilliant one from Alessia Russo.

Benfica were holding on, though could have taken the lead had Froya Dorsin pulled off a lob over Misa Rodriguez.

Lena Pauels gets down low to parry a low Alessia Russo strike wide.

Arsenal are pushing for a two-goal cushion as we approach the break.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

Russo takes one touch, has a little look up and has got one thing on her mind and that's to have the strike before allowing those defenders to come back in and put pressure on her.

It is a beautiful strike.

Image source, Getty Images

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

Much better there from Arsenal and they are getting closer.

Good, patient build-up play and that's what I don't think they do enough of - I don't think they play enough forward passes.

They are getting closer to getting that goal.

Now Olivia Smith meets a low Ona Batlle cross with a first-time strike, but Lena Pauels produces a smart stop to parry wide.

Georgia Stanway fizzes a pass into Olivia Smith who turns and squares the ball to Alessia Russo just inside the penalty area, but her first-time sweeping shot curls just wide of the post.

Image source, Getty Images

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

Dorsin there, you've got to punish, you don't know how many opportunities you're going to get.

I say that like I'm a striker and it's an easy finish but she'll be disappointed with that one.

Huge let-off for Arsenal!

Kyra Cooney-Cross sends the ball back towards defence but it's nowhere near a red shirt.

Frøya Dorsin runs onto the loose ball and spots Misa Rodriguez off her line, but chips over the crossbar from 35 yards out.

The goal was gaping!

Alessia Russo meets Steph Catley's corner with a header, which Lena Pauels manages saves before getting down to grab at the second attempt with Geraldine Reuteler poised to convert the rebound.

Arsenal are getting closer!

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal defender on Disney+

Really nice move [from Benfica]. I think they just need to gain that confidence as well. They need to look after the ball when they've got it, they've been a bit sloppy with passes previous to this build-up.

It's about when you are in the final third, similar to what we said about Arsenal, that you're making the right choices.

Georgia Stanway lets fly from 25 yards out and Lena Paules gets down low to tip round the post.