Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage on this opening day of the Emirates Cup as Arsenal take on Portuguese champions Benfica. Today's early kickoff saw Monaco and Valencia play out a 2-2 draw. The team news for this afternoon's match is in...

ARSENAL: Martinez; Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Gibbs; Flamini, Campbell, Ramsey, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanogo

ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Debuchy, Koscielny, Arteta, Wilshere, Giroud, Sanchez, Cazorla, Coquelin, Akpom, Miquel

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has left a few of the big names out of his starting lineup for today's encounter, with Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud among those on the bench. However, there's some big names in the starting XI for the Gunners, including Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Recent signing Calum Chambers has also been given his debut in defence.

BENFICA: Artur; Cesar, Sidnei, Pereira, Talisca, Amorim, Gaitan, Eliseu, Salvio, John, Lima

BENFICA SUBS: Derley, Paulo Lopes, Jara, Benito, Cancelo, Bebe, Andre Almeida, Luis Felipe, Candeias, Lindelof, Joao Teixeira

Benfica come into this match having clinched a record 33rd Portuguese title last season, and manager Jorge Jesus has included key men Eliseu, Nicolas Gaitan and Lima in his lineup to start this game.

While there is a wealth of talent in that Arsenal side, there is no doubting that home fans will be champing at the bit to see Alexis Sanchez in action. The Chilean forward was very impressive at the World Cup. For those of you unsure what to expect from the forward, check out the video below to see some of his best bits from this summer's tournament in Brazil:

Coquelin involved throughout all of pre season so far. Wonder if he's got an unlikely future at #AFC yet. — Richard Leighton (@TheArsenalGame) August 2, 2014

A little refresher for those of you who don't know how the Emirates Cup works. There are four teams in the competition, with each team playing twice across the weekend. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and the teams will also get an additional point for every goal that they score. If there are two teams who are level on points and goals scored by the end of the weekend, the winner will be decided by the most shots on target.

The good news is that there are a fair few fans inside the Emirates Stadium, so the atmosphere should be decent. It's also a bright, warm day in North London, though there are one or two clouds overhead.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Arsenal to get us underway. Let's hope for an entertaining encounter this afternoon. Here we go!

PENALTY APPEAL! Arsenal want a penalty, but referee Lee Mason is having none of it! Campbell did well to cut in from the right before making a darting run into the box. Eliseu was there to bring him down, only for the Arsenal appeals to fall on deaf ears. Could have gone either way, that one. It's been a pretty feisty start so far.

Arsenal needing to show their defensive solidity there following a couple of promising attacks from Benfica. A couple of crosses were delivered by the visitors from wide positions, though the hosts stood firm the clear the danger on both occasions.

One thing is for certain: Benfica are not messing about. The Portuguese champions have already made one or two tasty challenges so far this afternoon, and the latest comes in the form of a tackle from behind on Ramsey. The Welsh international stays down for a bit after the challenge, but he looks to be okay.

CHANCE! Close for Benfica! A decent move for the visitors saw the ball spread out to the right side. A cross then found Gaitan in the centre of the penalty area, though his first-time effort could only rattle the crossbar before going out of play.

CHANCE! Now it's Arsenal who threaten through Rosicky! Bellerin did brilliantly to win the Gunners a corner in the build-up to that opportunity. The ball eventually found Rosicky about 15 yards from goal, but his low drive ended up wide.

CHANCE! Arsenal come close again! Campbell timed his run perfectly there, allowing Ramsey's scooped pass over the Benfica defence to drop at his feet. However, the Costa Rica international could only slice his shot wide of the target. Sanogo is then given an opening moments later, but the Frenchman's poked effort goes the wrong side of the post. Arsenal are knocking on the door.

SUBSTITUTION: A bit of a worry for Benfica here because Eliseu is having to come off with what looks like a groin strain. Benito is the man to take his place.

YELLOW CARD! Arsenal's Nacho Monreal is the first player to go into the book this afternoon. The defender is punished for dragging down Lima as Benfica looked to break. File that one under 'cynical'.

Good defending from Chambers there. A ball over the top almost sees Lima get on the end of it, but the new signing is there to provide protection for his goalkeeper to gather.

Yaya Sanogo gives Arsenal the lead, but that goal was all about Ramsey. The midfielder makes a marauding run down the right wing before delivering a cross right into the six-yard box, where Sanogo is waiting to bundle the ball into the net. Simple but effective from the Gunners.

It may only be a friendly, but Arsenal are showing some very neat touches this afternoon. Arsene Wenger is sure to be very happy with what he's seen from his players so far. The Gunners haven't had everything their own way in this match, though they've been far superior to Benfica when it comes to creating chances and showing more attacking intent.

Something of a half-chance for Benfica as Benito is played in following some patient build-up from the visitors. However, the substitute can only smash the ball high and wide from a difficult angle. That was wasteful from the full-back because he had teammates waiting in the middle.

CHANCE! Almost an equaliser for Benfica! A poor pass from Chambers to Oxlade-Chamberlain allows the visitors to regain possesion, but Salvio's prod towards goal is well saved by Martinez. The Arsenal goalkeeper had to get down low there.

Benfica are showing a bit more menace now following a slight lull in this match. The Portuguese champions half-heartedly appeal for a penalty as Lima goes down in the box, only for Lee Mason to wave play on. Arsenal then go up the other end with a quick break, but Sanogo is caught offside when trying to get on the end of Oxlade-Chamberlain's pass.

What a great finish from Joel Campbell! You have to wonder whether he will be given his chance at the club by Arsene Wenger this season after moments like that. Bellerin did well again to get into an advanced position, crossing the ball from the right to Campbell who was waiting at the back post to volley home. A sweet strike from the Costa Rican.

CHANCE! That really should be 3-0 to Arsenal! A typically-flowing passing move from the Gunners sees Campbell receive the ball inside the box, but the forward can only hack the ball off target. A bit more composure there and Campbell could have had his second goal of the afternoon.

Now it's 3-0! Sanogo gets his second of the game, and it's all so easy for Arsenal. The Benfica defence went to sleep there as the Gunners ran rings around them. The hosts were able to avoid the offside flag going up thanks to a clever run from Ramsey, who squared for Sanogo to tap in.

It's a hat-trick for Sanogo! What an afternoon this is turning out to be for Arsenal! Gibbs's cross from the left saw the striker get in front of his marker before poking the ball into the back of the net at the second time of asking.

Well, what a brilliant opening 45 minutes that was for Arsenal. It was a bit of a cagey affair at the start, but the goals soon started flying in for the hosts. And they thoroughly deserve it. Arsene Wenger's side has been better than Benfica in every department.

It will be interesting to see if Arsene Wenger introduces anyone off the bench at half time. Could we be seeing Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy soon? The Gunners certainly have a healthy lead to play around with.

Bebe is on the bench for Benfica by the way. pic.twitter.com/4RVizP77qx — Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 2, 2014

This win is sure to put Arsenal well clear at the top of the Emirates Cup table. Remember, each team gets one extra point for every goal that they score. Today's earlier match between Valencia and Monaco ended 2-2.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out, and it will be Benfica who get us back underway. One change for Arsenal as Santi Cazorla replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Yep, another goal for Sanogo. This one is just as simple as all his others have been today. Cazorla's powerful effort was pushed away by the Benfica goalkeeper, but Sanogo was there to slot the ball into an empty net from all of three yards. This is bound to do his confidence the world of good.

It might only be a pre-season friendly, but Benfica are looking like a husk of the team that won the Portuguese title last season. Their passing has been woeful, while their desire to win the ball is also severely lacking. That said, it looks as if Jorge Jesus will be making a few changes soon.

A poor effort from Talisca, that. The midfielder took aim from about 25 yards, only to see his tame drive easily held by Martinez. The visitors will be keen to at least get on the scoresheet by the time that this game finishes.

SUBSTITUTION: Benfica make their first change of the afternoon as Bebe comes on for Salvio. Can the former Manchester United forward make an impact for his side?

Benfica have their goal, and it's a sloppy one to give away from an Arsenal perspective. The ball was floated into the box from the right side, allowing Gaitan to get in between two red shirts and nod past Martinez.

SUBSTITUTION: Plenty of changes to tell you about. Starting with Arsenal, the hosts have brought on Coquelin, Wilshere and Arteta for Flamini, Rosicky and Ramsey. Meanwhile, Candeias and Almeida have replaced John and Talisca for Benfica.

We have a very big Mexican wave going around the Emirates Stadium. Repeat, we have a very big Mexican wave going around the Emirates Stadium. Around 25 minutes left to play.

Benfica threaten the Arsenal goal as Lima's cross misses everyone and looks like it might creep in at the back post, but Martinez shows his alertness by getting down and gathering the ball. The game has opened up a bit, though it's still Arsenal who are in control.

This match is being played at a fairly slow pace now. Benfica are pushing for a second goal, but they're not doing anything to remotely trouble the Arsenal defence.

SUBSTITUTION: Here he comes! Alexis Sanchez enters the field of play to rapturous applause as he makes his Arsenal debut. Yaya Sanogo is the man to make way. It looks as if the striker, who has been excellent today, has maybe strained a muscle in his leg. Meanwhile, Arsenal make two further changes with Miquel and Akpom replacing Monreal and Campbell.

Not a bad effort from Cazorla there. The Spaniard works some space on the edge of the area before hitting a low, right-footed shot towards the bottom corner. However, the Benfica goalkeeper does well to get down and keep the ball out. Around 15 minutes of normal time remaining at the Emirates Stadium.

As you might imagine, there's a huge sense of anticipation when Sanchez gets on the ball. The Chilean has looked lively during the short time that he's been on the pitch, but he's yet to have a crack at goal.

OFF THE POST! Benfica almost have their second of the match as Pereira smashes the ball towards goal from 20 yards, but his effort clips the post before going out of play. Replays show that Martinez may have got a touch on that. If so, that was a fine save from the young goalkeeper.

YELLOW CARD! Benfica's Benito goes into the book, and rightly so. The defender cynically chopped down Akpom just as Arsenal were looking to break. No complaints there.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Three more changes for Benfica as Cancelo, Derlei and Amorim all come on for Gaitan, Lima and Teixeira.

OFF THE BAR! Arsenal come within a whisker of grabbing their sixth as Miquel jumps highest from a corner to head against the crossbar.

OFF THE POST! Arsenal are denied by the woodwork again! This time it's Coquelin who sees his effort come back off the post. Just the one minute of added time to be played...

Lee Mason blows the full-time whistle, bringing an end to what has been a fine afternoon for Arsenal. They've beaten Benfica 5-1, and that scoreline is a fair reflection of their dominance over the Portuguese champions. Alexis Sanchez came on with 20 minutes to go to make his debut for the Gunners, but it was Yaya Sanogo who stole the show thanks to his four-goal haul.

That's all from me for today, but we will be back tomorrow to bring you live text coverage of Arsenal's second and final match in the Emirates Cup against Monaco. That one is due to kick off at 4.20pm BST. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!