Arsenal 5-2 Benfica: Gunners earn comfortable win in the Emirates Cup as Theo Walcott nets twice while Olivier Giroud and Alex Iwobi also score

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As timely reminders go, this was emphatic as they come. If all goes according to plan for Arsenal in the transfer market this summer, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud look likely losers.

Alexandre Lacazette’s £52million arrival from Lyon will almost certainly demote Giroud to a regular place on the bench. Walcott will face a similar fate if Arsenal land Thomas Lemar from Monaco.

The forward duo aren’t prepared to fade into the background, however. Yes, it’s pre-season. Yes, the tangible truth will become apparent when the season starts. Nevertheless, their contribution in this convincing Emirates Cup win over Benfica was telling. 

Benfica took the lead against Arsenal in their Emirates Cup clash through a goal by Franco Cervi after 11 minutes

Arsenal pulled level through a close range finish by Theo Walcott as they played the first of two games in two days at home

It was Walcott again eight minutes later who scored after a slick passing move to give the Gunners the lead

However the Portuguese side pulled the hosts back before half time when Salvio made it 2-2 amid the pouring rain

Arsenal regained the lead with a touch of fortune when Lisandro Lopez turned Walcott's low cross into his own goal

Olivier Groud - subject of speculation over a move away from Arsenal - made it 4-2 with a stretching volley after 64 minutes

Alex Iwobi ensured victory and a healthy goal bonus for the Gunners with his powerful effort that made it 5-2

Walcott scored twice and had a decisive hand in Arsenal’s third, while Giroud notched and made another.

In keeping with the miserable weather, it rained goals during the first half. Benfica were first to strike, Franco Cervi firing past David Ospina and Per Mertesacker, who was positioned on the line, to give the Portuguese a 12th minute lead.

It didn’t take the Gunners long to level; Walcott firing home from close range after tenacious work from new signing Sead Kolasinac, who disposed Pizzi before flighting a perfect cross into the goalscorer’s path. It was an excellent riposte from Walcott; Arsenal’s forgotten man.

As ever at Arsenal, the focus is on transfers. Kolasinac and Lacazette are over the line.

If the club have their way, Monaco winger Lemar will be the next body through the door.

Walcott is well aware of the consequences should the Gunners manage to land Lemar this summer. On this evidence he'll fight for his Arsenal career.

Indeed, the speedy forward fired Arsenal ahead in the 33rd minute, tapping into an empty net after Kolasinac and Francis Coquelin combined down the left. Benfica, though, levelled before the break when Salvio, via a deflection off Rob Holding, fired past Ospina.  

Yet again, however, Walcott was on hand to restore Arsenal’s lead soon after the restart - albeit fortuitously. The Arsenal’s star angled drive would have troubled Benfica keeper Julio Cesar - but substitute Lisandro’s attempts to clear the danger merely resulted in the defender putting through his own net.

Walcott should have completed his hat-trick just moments later, but blazed wildly over the bar after being set-up by Olivier Giroud, but the Frenchman wasn’t so wasteful as he fired home Arsenal’s fourth in the 64th minute, holding off Buta to poke home a cross from Reiss Nelson, who looks an impressive prospect.

Giroud turned provider seven minutes later, cushioning the perfect lay-off from Alex Iwobi to fire home after more impressive play from Kolasinac down the left to complete the scoring.

Cervi fired through the legs of the challenging Rob Holding to give Benfica the lead, David Ospina unable to get down in time

Ospina could only get a glove to teh ball and was unable to keep it out in Arsenal's first home friendly of the summer

Walcott is surrounded by his celebrating team mates after scoring his first of the game to draw Arsenal level

It was Walcott who made it 2-1 with a fine volley as Arsenal overcame a slow start in front of an expectant home crowd

Lopez can only look on helplessly from the turf as goalkeeper Julio Cesar remonstrates following the defender's own goal

Giroud gave Arsenal a two-goal advantage after stretching to turn in a far post cross by young talent Reiss Nelson

A supporter was tackled by security after invading the pitch in the first half - he shouted abuse at Arsene Wenger as he left

Giroud was denied in the first half after a clear early opening, former QPR keeper Cesar spreading himself well to block

There was concern after 34 minutes for Arsenal when Francis Coquelin went down injured and had to be substituted off

Walcott had a very good chance to complete his hat trick in the second half but fired over from eight yards out of goal

An optimistic Arsenal fan wears his Alexis Sanchez shirt - the Chilean forward did not feature as he is reported to be unwell

The fans did get to see Alexandre Lacazette (centre) however, as he made his home Arsenal bow as a second half substitute

Wenger watches on from the touchline as Arsenal earned what was eventually a comfortable home win in this friendly game