Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes are taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time THE REFEREE BLOWS THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE: Arsenal end their pre-season campaign with defeat in Benfica.
90
INTO INJURY TIME: Three minutes given by the fourth official.
90
FABIANSKI IN ACTION AGAIN: Another decent stop of Fabianski from Aimar's stinging volley
Top Comments:
Arsenal Sweden on Twitter says:
Fabianski has been good. Have no problem with him and Szczesny as our goalkeepers the coming season.
Chris-Anthony Salter on Twitter says:
At least Fabianski is making some decent saves... It could have been 4-1
89
Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Javi Garcia makes way for Simao
89
Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Luisao makes way for Fabio Faria
89
HIGH OVER THE BAR: A waste.
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Lansbury had no conviction on that free kick. He has good technique and has scored goals form there before, but the technique was all wrong on that one.
88
LANSBURY FANCIES IT: The young midfielder is lining this one up…
88
ARSENAL FREE-KICK: In a very promising position. Aimar handles and the referee penalises him.
87
LUISAO GETS IT ALL WRONG: Lansbury whips a dangerous ball into the box and the defender, with his wrong foot, screws the ball wide of the post.
86
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
85
Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Ruben Pinto on for Ruben Amorim
85
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Young defender Miquel comes on for Vermaelen
84
ARSENAL PRESSING: Chamakh finds space on the left and crosses for Gervinho in the six-yard box. The Ivorian can’t get on the end of it but Jenkinson wins a corner.
Top Comments:
Lev Reynolds on Twitter says:
I know minus Gervinho this is basically our reserve team but still, we should be winning games like this!
84
DON'T FORGET: Have your say on Twitter #Arsenallive
83
GERVINHO: Has been quiet in this second half. He hasn’t seen much of the ball at all.
82
GOOD FOOTBALL FROM BENFICA: The home side are keeping the ball well and Arsenal are struggling to get near it at the moment.
81
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
80
LAST TEN MINUTES: Can Arsenal find an equaliser and take the game to penalties?
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ARSENAL GOING DIRECT: Ramsey tries to seek out Chamakh over the top but the striker can’t get on the end of it.
77
DOWN THE OTHER END: Frimpong breaks and has an effort blocked inside the area. All of a sudden, there is a real urgency in this game.
Top Comments:
Rich Fleming on Arsenal Player says:
It's been getting a little scrappy in the last 10 minutes as we've seen a lot of end-to-end play
76
FABIANSKI CALLED INTO ACTION AGAIN: Lukasz beats away a fierce shot
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Yellow Card VERMAELEN BOOKED: The Belgian catches a Benfica man and becomes the second Arsenal player to get a yellow card tonight.
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BENFICA KEEPING THE BALL: If anyone, Benfica look more likely to add to their lead.
Top Comments:
Rich Fleming on Arsenal Player says:
This is a good test and it's a real test. It's something Arsenal need.
72
NO CHANCES OF NOTE: The changes affected the rhythm of the game and neither side has gone close in the last few minutes.
71
MIYAIACHI RUNS AT HIS FULL-BACK: More positive play from the winger, who attacks down the left before losing out. He has done well in this second period.
Top Comments:
Mark Goldsmith on Twitter says:
Miyachi is the only new young player I would even consider putting in the first team
69
FRIMPONG WINS IT AGAIN: This time, right on the edge of the penalty area before setting Arsenal on the attack.
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Frimpong is not afraid to put his foot in and he doesn't feel out of place in this team
68
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
67
HANDBAGS: Frimpong has done well since coming on and makes a great challenge in midfield. Benfica don’t like it but that was a fair tackle.
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What has gone wrong for Arsenal in this second half? Have your say on Twitter #Arsenallive
66
GOOD RUNNING FROM TRAORE: The left-back has looked lively since coming on. Arsenal work the ball well from the back and Traore wins a throw in.
65
Substitution LANSBURY ON FOR ROSICKY: A chance for the youngster to impress
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Lots of young players on for Arsenal now. Henri Lansbury is one of those guys who is just really hungry. Now he gets to show Arsene Wenger what he can do
63
BENFICA DOING ALL THE PRESSING: Arsenal have struggled to get into the game in this second half.
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FABIANSKI FORCED TO PALM AWAY: Garcia thunders a free-kick at goal and the keeper makes a decent save
61
A great finish from the substitute, who beats Squillaci on the edge of the area before lashing past Fabianski into the bottom-left corner. The defender got too tight there and Nolito punished him
60
GOAL! - Nolito 2 : 1 Nolito fires Benfica ahead
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And have your say on Twitter #Arsenallive
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
56
Substitution TRAORE COMES ON FOR GIBBS: Like-for-like at left-back
55
NEAT INTERCHANGE FROM ARSENAL: Miyaichi bursts down the left and cuts the ball back to Ramsey on the edge of the area. The Wales midfielder flicks the ball to Rosicky, who can’t quite get on the end of it. Unlucky
53
SLOW START TO THIS HALF FROM ARSENAL: It has been all Benfica in the opening ten minutes.
52
LUISAO SMACKS THE BAR: The centre back has time and space inside the area as Arsenal fail to clear a free-kick. Fabianski was beaten but the defender's rasping effort thunders the bar.
51
FRIMPONG PENALISED: The midfielder is typically tenacious but concedes a free-kick in a crossing position.
50
The Argentine substitute plays a neat one-two on the edge of the area before shrugging off Vermaelen and slotting past a helpless Fabianski to level things up
Top Comments:
Chike O on Twitter says:
Before people start complaining about us conceding, please note we just made almost 5 changes 3 of them in Defence.
49
GOAL! - Pablo Aimar 1 : 1 Aimar gets the equaliser
48
GERVINHO WEAVES HIS WAY INTO THE AREA: And nearly creates a himself a chance before getting muscled off the ball
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TACTICS: Miyaichi on the left, Gervinho still on the right with Chamakh through the middle. Frimpong is on for Song in-front of the back four.
46
EARLY SIGN OF MIYAICHI: The substitute is in the thick of the action already down the left.
Kick Off SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY: Miyaichi, Chamakh, Squillaci, Frimpong, Fabianski and Jenkinson all on for Arsenal.
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Cardozo makes way for Saviola
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Franco Jara makes way for Aimar
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Enzo Pérez makes way for Nolito
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Gaitán on for Bruno César
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Witsel on for Matic
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Capdevila for Emerson
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Jenkinson on for Sagna
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Miyaichi on for Arshavin
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Frimpong on for Song
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Squillaci on for Djourou
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Chamakh in for Van Persie
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Fabianski on for Szczesny
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Substitution BENFICA CHANGE: Artur goes in the goal for Eduardo
Half Time THERE’S THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: That Van Persie goal separates the two sides at the break.
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are growing in confidence and have sharpened up their game. But they have to as Benfica have been their biggest competition in the pre-season
Truly Twizted on Twitter says:
Best player of half - Kieran Gibbs... Ramsey not really involved,but Rosicky and Arshavin look lively.
44
HESITANT DEFENDING FROM ARSENAL: But Benfica can’t capitalise and Garcia prods an effort harmlessly wide.
43
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
42
BENFICA COME FORWARD: Jara has looked a threat this evening and, this time, he fires a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Luckily, there is no-one in a red shirt to capitalise
40
ROBIN BACK ON THE PITCH: Though moving rather gingerly
Top Comments:
Arindam Ghosh on Facebook says:
What a relief to see him back!
38
THE DUTCHMAN IS BACK ON HIS FEET: And limps off to get some treatment. But he still looks in a lot of pain.
Top Comments:
Lev Reynolds on Twitter says:
The last thing we need is an injury to the birthday boy Robin Van Persie! Wenger take him off please
37
VAN PERSIE DOWN IN A HEAP: Garry catches the goalscorer late and he looks in a lot of pain. That looked like a nasty knock to his right ankle.
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That would be a hammer blow for Arsenal if Van Persie were to miss the beginning of the season
36
THAT GOAL HAS GIVEN ARSENAL CONFIDENCE: The hosts are playing all the football now.
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Can Van Persie's goals fire Arsenal to the Premier League title this season?: Let us know on Twitter #Arsenallive
34
Arshavin feeds Gibbs on the overlap and the left back has all the time in the world to pick out Van Persie in the six-yard box. He wasn’t going to miss from there! 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Top Comments:
Hector Mercado on Twitter says:
Happy birthday @Persie_Official! celebrate it with that goal!
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GOAL! - Robin van Persie 0 : 1 Van Persie gives Arsenal the lead
32
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
31
INCHES AWAY FROM VAN PERSIE: Superb vision from Song splits the Benfica defence and finds Van Persie, who is on the shoulder of the last defender. As Benfica step up, the birthday boy is clean though and chips Eduardo. The ball seems to be heading for the far corner but lands just wide of the post. Great play from Arsenal
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That's a superb piece of visison from Alex Song, but I bet Van Persie looks back at that and wishes he had driven it past the keeper rather than trying to chip it like Carlos Vela
30
FIRST HALF-HOUR: This has been a really competitive game so far. One week ahead of the Premier League season, this will be exactly the type of game Wenger will want.
28
CARDOSO FIRES OVER: A smart turn inside the area nearly catches Szczesny out, but the ball deflects over the crossbar
27
JUST WIDE FROM CESAR: He cuts inside Gibbs and looks to bend an effort into the far corner from outside the area. Szczesny has that one covered
25
BENFICA CAN’T HANDLE GERVINHO: This time, Van Persie seeks him out through the middle after the summer signing made a good run in-behind the defence. He is really stretching the Benfica defence
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Both teams want to win tonight, but it's especially important for Arsenal confidence-wise. This could be end-to-end in the second half
24
GERVINHO LASHES HIGH AND WIDE: Good play from Gibbs presents an opening for the Ivorian, who has switched to the right now, but he can’t hit the target.
23
CARDOSO AND VERMAELEN’S LEGS TANGE: Inside the area, as well. But the flag is up for offside.
21
Yellow Card ROSICKY GOES INTO THE BOOK: The Czech midfielder tugs Cesar back as Benfica break and is given a yellow card by the referee.
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TAKEN SHORT: A cross eventually comes into the box but Gibbs heads clear
Top Comments:
Johnny Wenger on Twitter says:
Not to jinx it or anything, but Gibbs has looked the best of the back four
19
IMPORTANT HEADER FROM DJOUROU: Good play down the left creates a crossing opportunity for Emerson and Djourou is forced to head behind for a Benfica corner
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WHAT DO YOU THINK SO FAR?: Let us know on Twitter #Arsenallive
16
BENFICA COME FORWARD AGAIN: The hosts are gaining in confidence all the time. This time, Jara hits an effort wide of the left post.
Top Comments:
BL Be Easy on Twitter says:
Benfica are finding too much space in between the full backs... I bet they will score from a cross
15
GOOD COVER FROM GIBBS: Benfica break with real pace and Djourou gets caught by Cardozo. With red shirts bearing down on goal, Gibbs comes across to clear the danger
13
ARSENAL MOVING THROUGH THE GEARS: Arshavin latches onto a clever ball from Sagna and whips an effort towards the far post, where Eduardo makes a smart stop.
Top Comments:
Larry Kwirirayi on Twitter says:
Gervinho has breathed a new urgency into Arsenal in the final third. And you can see Arshavin is more interested.
12
GERVINHO FIRES INTO THE SIDE-NETTING: Wonderful stuff from the new boy. Rosicky plays a clever reverse ball into Gervinho inside the area and what comes next is special. The Ivorian turns Luisao inside-out before drilling a left-footed effort into the side-netting. Very unlucky
Top Comments:
Chris Core on Twitter says:
Gervinho is the type of player Arsenal have been missing
11
BENFICA PRESSING: Whenever Arsenal are on the ball, the Portuguese side are closing down with real purpose making it difficult for the visitors.
Top Comments:
Pholaby on Twitter says:
The players need to be a bit more in the faces of the benfica players as they are in ours!!!
10
WELL DEFENDED BY SAGNA: Benfica left-back Emerson attacks down the Arsenal right but Sagna uses his body well to see the ball out of play for a goal kick
8
Get your comments to us via www.arsenal.com/studio and on Twitter #Arsenallive
7
BENFICA WANT A PENALTY: Szczesny clips Jara in the area and looks towards the referee, who waves play on. Szczesny and Vermaelen nearly let the Benfica man in there. That was a bit of a let-off
6
ARSHAVIN GETS A WHACK: Gervinho crosses from the right and, as the Russian goes up for a header, clashes heads with a defender. He will be OK to continue.
5
BENFICA KEEPING THE BALL: From deep in their own half, the hosts work the ball down the pitch and nearly fashion an opening in the Arsenal area. Vermaelen is there and the defender clears.
4
A BRIGHT OPENING: Both sides are playing some neat football in midfield. No goalmouth action yet, though.
Top Comments:
Steven Hay on Twitter says:
Gervinho has made some exciting runs...good to see!!
Mutoka Leon on Twitter says:
Having ths tingly feeling that rosicky may just be onto somethng this season
3
TACTICS: Gervinho starts on the right, Arshavin on the left.
2
FAST START: The game begins at a very quick pace, Arsenal keeping possession but Benfica pressing all the time.
Kick Off WE’RE UNDERWAY: Arsenal get us going, kicking from left to right in this first half
PENALTIES: If it’s all-square after 90 minutes, spot-kicks will decide things tonight!
HERE COME THE PLAYERS: Arsenal, wearing their 125th anniversary away kit, led out by Robin van Persie. The Dutchman is celebrating his 28th birthday today.
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
The Arsenal subs tonight, by the way, are: Fabianski, Squillaci, Jenkinson, Chamakh, Traore, Frimpong, Miyaichi, Lansbury, Miquel
Throughout the evening, have your say on Twitter #arsenallive. What have you made of our pre-season campaign so far? Do injuries to Jack, Theo and Co give players an opportunity to impress ahead of the Premier League season?
Our coverage has just started on Arsenal Player. Before the game, look out for highlights of Thierry Henry's return to Emirates Stadium with New York Red Bull and exclusive reaction from the Arsenal legend. We will also hear from Arsène Wenger before crossing live to our commentary team.
The Arsenal team is in, and here it is: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Van Persie, Ramsey, Song, Djourou, Gervinho, Arshavin, Gibbs
Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes are in the studio for today's match while former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke joins Richard Fleming in the commentary box.
Our coverage starts at 7.30pm (UK time) and kick off is 15 minutes later. To watch a live video stream of the game open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can hear live audio commentary and read our text updates too.
After trips to Asia, Germany and a return home for the Emirates Cup, Arsenal conclude their pre-season programme against Benfica tonight.
Top Comments:
James on Twitter says:
Where did the preseason go? Four weeks have flown by!
Benfica
EDUARDO
ARTUR (45)
05 EMERSON
CAPDEVILA, Joan (45)
LUISAO
FARIA, Fabio (89)
24 GARAY, Ezequiel
AMORIM, Ruben
PINTO, Ruben (85)
GARCIA, Javi
SIMAO, David (89)
CESAR, Bruno
GAITAN, Nico (45)
21 MATIC, Nemanja
WITSEL, Axel (45)
PEREZ, Enzo
NOLITO (45)
JARA, Franco
AIMAR, Pablo (45)
CARDOZO, Oscar
30 SAVIOLA, Javier (45)
ARTUR,
NOLITO,
AIMAR, PABLO
COELHO, NUNO
GAITAN, NICO
MORA, RODRIGO
URRETA,
SIMAO, DAVID
WITSEL, AXEL
30 SAVIOLA, JAVIER
PINTO, RUBEN
CAPDEVILA, JOAN
FARIA, FABIO
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
21 FABIANSKI, Lukasz (45)
03 SAGNA, Bacary
25 JENKINSON, Carl (45)
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
54 MIQUEL, Ignasi (85)
20 DJOUROU, Johan
18 SQUILLACI, Sebastien (45)
28 GIBBS, Kieran
03 TRAORE, Armand (56)
07 ROSICKY, Tomas
22 LANSBURY, Henri (65)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
25 SONG, Alex
12 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (45)
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey
32 RYO (45)
27 GERVINHO
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (45)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
25 JENKINSON, CARL
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
03 TRAORE, ARMAND
12 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
32 RYO,
22 LANSBURY, HENRI
54 MIQUEL, IGNASI
Top Comments:
Andrew Ewing on Twitter says:
We simply cannot score without Robin van Persie on the pitch.
Eileen Ring on Twitter says:
Thank god that's over!! Improvements needed before next Sat
4menonabench on Twitter says:
Modern football is a squad game. Apart from say 14 players are afc good enough?