Although it’s only pre-season, it’s still nice to beat any team 5-2.
Arsenal put five past Benfica in their first Emirates Cup clash of the weekend despite the score being level at half-time.
Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Alex Iwobi all got on the score sheet, as did Eduardo Salvio, who netted an own goal in the second half.
Not that the Gunners were exactly perfect. Despite being the stronger team, they let in two deflected own goals themselves.
What was important, however, wasn’t just that Arsenal recovered, but that Arsene Wenger got the chance to have a look at how prepared the team is for the season ahead.
So what did we, and potentially the boss, learn from Arsenal’s win over Benfica.
Benfica’s Portuguese defender Aurelio Buta (L) chases Arsenal’s German-born Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac (R) during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
I know we were warned but blimey, Kolasinac is a beast.
It may have taken his a couple of pre-season games to really make his mark but boy did he announce his arrival against Benfica.
Not only did the left-back get an assist, he generally bossed the game, using both physicality and skill to repeatedly get in behind opposition players.
4. Arsenal fans are impatient
Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette controls the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Alexandre Lacazette was on the pitch for 14 minutes and Gooners are already writing him off as a flop.
I don’t know whether this is because Arsenal fans are so anxious given the speculation surrounding Alexis Sanchez’s future or whether they’re genuinely this impatient in their everyday life but they need to knock it off.
3. Ainsley Maitland-Niles still isn’t ready for the first team
Benfica’s Argentinian striker Eduardo Salvio (L) vies with Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AMN wasn’t fantastic in defence against Chelsea in Bejing and although the scoreline was considerably more positive against Benfica, he still wasn’t great.
His touch is a little heavy and he looks lost.
Maybe he’s one for the future, but not the present.
2. Giroud is ready to fight
Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
I’ve probably said this roughly 100x already but Olivier Giroud is proving time and time again why he won’t give up his first team spot without a fight and why Arsenal shouldn’t even think about selling him this summer.
Not only did the big guy score a lovely goal against Benfica, he assisted one of Theo Walcott’s and generally looked dangerous.
1. Reiss Nelson is ready
Benfica’s Brazilian midfielder Filipe Augusto (R) commits a hand-ball as Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson tries to pass the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Nelson has been fantastic this pre-season and the 17-year-old’s display against Benfica was probably his best.
His assist for Giroud’s goal was sublime, and his confidence and awareness were amazing for a player of his age.
Although it’s unlikely that we’ll see him in the Premier League very often next season, he’s bound to be on Wenger’s list for Cup and Europa League matches.