Arsenal slip up in final game of pre-season

Arsenal have now finished all their pre-season matches and we are now a step closer to knowing what the starting XI will be for our first competitive match of the season as we play Newcastle next week at St James' Park. Arsenal finished their pre-season with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Portuguese side Benfica. Arsenal were missing some key men for the trip including Fabregas, Nasri and Wilshere but managed to cope well and dominated the game in the first half. However the second half was different as Wenger made changes and Benfica then managed to keep the ball well and managed to bring the game back into their hands.

Early on in the game Benfica had a claim for a penalty turned down after Szczesny brought down Jara in the box.

Arsenal's first good chance of the game fell to Gervinho who got into the box but he could only manage to find the side netting.

Half an hour into the game Arsenal's good work almost paid off as Van Persie found space in the box and chipped the ball over the oncoming Eduardo in the Benfica goal but the shot just bounced wide.

3 minutes later Arsenal took the lead through some great work down the left hand side. Arshavin found Gibbs who put the ball into the box for Van Persie to find the back of the net from 6 yards out.

5 minutes into the second half Benfica grabbed an equaliser through half time substitute Pablo Aimar who turned Vermaelen and fired past Fabianski and into the back of the net.

Benfica started to dominate and then finally they grabbed what proved to be the winner on 60 minutes as Nolito came inside and curled a shot beyond Fabianski who had had a rough time in goal since coming on as a half time sub.

It was not all bad for Fabianski as late on he made some good saves including one from long range off the boot of Gaitan.

Arsenal: Szczesny(45), Sagna(45), Vermaelen(85), Djourou(45), Gibbs(56), Rosicky(65), Ramsey, Song(45), Arshavin(45), Gervinho, Van Persie(45).
Subs: Fabianski(45), Squillaci(45), Miguel(85), Jenkinson(45), Traore(56), Frimpong(45), Lansbury(65), Miyaichi(45), Chamakh(45).

Benfica 1st Half: Eduardo, Emerson, Luisao, Garay, Amorim, Garcia, Cesar, Matic, Perez, Jara, Cardozo.
Benfica 2nd Half: Artur, Faria, Capdevilla, Pinto, Garay, Gaitan, Aimar, Nolito, Witsel, Simao, Saviola.

Referee: M Rebelo
Attendance: 40,883

NOTICE FOR READERS: Match reports of games against Newcastle and Liverpool in the Premiership will be delayed. The match report of the first leg of the champions league tie against Udinese will also be delayed due to me being on holiday for 2 weeks.