Nelson impressed at wing-back (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Arsenal looked in good shape as they smashed Benfica with Sead Kolasinac and Reiss Nelson both putting in excellent displays in their first first-team appearances at the Emirates.

A double from Theo Walcott, an own goal from Lisandro Lopez, a fine volley from Olivier Giroud and a powerful drive from Alex Iwobi secured the win for the Gunners, who are sitting comfortably at the top of the Emirates Cup table after their hefty goal haul.

Salvio and Franco Cervi got on the scoresheet for Benfica but in truth they were outclassed.

Arsene Wenger will be absolutely delighted with the manner in which his team attacked, particularly with big hitters Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez all out of the starting XI.

Lacazette, a £52million summer signing from Lyon, did make his first appearance at the Emirates off the bench late in the second half but he’s expected to start from the off when Arsenal face Sevilla on Sunday.

Here are the main talking points from the match:

What the result means for Arsenal

Giroud got on the scoresheet (Picture: AFP/Getty)

It’s obviously early days for Arsenal but a lot of fringe players really performed, with the main stars of the squad rested.

Nelson proved he’s a real prospect once again and under Ozil’s tutelage he could well find himself starring in the first XI this season.

And in Kolasinac Arsenal seem to have a real out-and-out full-back of high quality – these are certainly encouraging signs for the Gunners.

Star Man

Walcott in fine form (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Walcott!

It was a great day out for the England international, who scored two goals and assisted Lisandro’s own goal.

He should have had a third in the opening moments of the second half but blazed over after nice work from Giroud.

An honourable mention to young Reiss Nelson, who more than played his part in the game and provided an assist for Giroud with a fine cross.

We forgot they were playing

Elneny was very much in the background of the story v Benfica (Picture: Reuters)

Mohamed Elneny.

The 25-year-old has been at the Emirates for a year-and-a-half now and he hardly looks ready to take a spot in the first team.

It’s not exactly clear what the Egyptian brings to the table – he sprayed plenty of balls out of play, didn’t tackle particularly well and generally just looked a bit lost.

Biggest cock-up

Young Ainsley Maintland-Niles gave the ball away in his own half, which led to Salvio’s shot deflecting off Rob Holding and over David Ospina.

It wasn’t the academy graduates finest moment and he generally looked a little uncomfortable at centre-back.

What surprised us?

Kolasinac was a thorn in Benfica’s side (Picture: EPA)

Just how influential Kolasinac was going forward.

He may have been down on the team sheet as playing as part of a back-three but Kolasinac was almost a left winger at times in a swashbuckling first-half performance.

He was influential in Walcott’s two goals in the opening period and it was an impressive first display at the Emirates for the Bosnian ace.

What didn’t surprise us?

Coquelin came off injured (Picture: PA) 

Arsenal picking up an injury.

The Gunners have been plagued by injury problems over the past few years and the sight of Francis Coquelin being forced off in the first half will be something Arsenal supporters are unfortunately used to seeing.

Fingers crossed it’s not too serious and that the Frenchman was just taken off as a precaution.