Arsenal got their Emirates Cup defence under way with a 5-2 win over Benfica on Saturday, Theo Walcott scoring a brace.
Theo Walcott hit a brace as Arsenal demonstrated they can cope without Alexis Sanchez by beating Benfica 5-2 in an entertaining game in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger's side are four-time champions and the current holders of the pre-season tournament, but they had to come from behind at a wet Emirates Stadium with Sanchez still absent following his Confederations Cup participation with Chile.
Franco Cervi put Benfica ahead in the 11th minute, the Argentine's strike taking a crucial double deflection off Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker.