Arsenal thrashed Benfica in their opening Emirates Cup game in what was the most enjoyable game of pre-season so far.
A one-sided affair in the end, deflections helped the Portuguese give Arsenal a few problems but they overcame them in style to run out 5-2 winners.
So how did the players do?
Forwards
Alex Iwobi 7
The quietest of all the front men, Iwobi was trying tricks and showing some great footwork, but it wasn’t all coming off for him until well into the second half when he swept home an absolute pearler.
Iwobi's golazo. Nice touch by Giroud. pic.twitter.com/hpdGNI6707
— Arsenal Related ™ (@ArsenalsRelated) July 29, 2017
Theo Walcott 8
Given his form this pre-season, he would have been odds-on to miss his first after being teed up beautifully by Sead, but he didn’t. It was a lovely finish.
His second was a tap-in but let’s face it, Theo can make even those hard work at times. Also grabbed an assist for the third which was an OG.
Should have had a hattrick before the hour mark but Theo’d it over the bar. I’m being overly harsh on him here because I expect so much from him, but this was certainly his best game of pre-season by some distance and might have done enough to help Wenger to forgive him a little
Played well today
— Bradley Waters (@BradleyWaters16) July 29, 2017
Olivier Giroud 8
Should have scored early on but was denied by a brilliant save.
Showed, as he usual does, some brilliant link-up play and set up Walcott for what should have been his hattrick with a sublime turn.
His goal showed all his quality – the strength to hold off his man, the agility to get his leg to the ball and the control to place it in the corner.
Another superb save denied him a second. Set up Iwobi after a disguised pass from Kolasinac.