Arsenal confirmed line-up vs Benfica – £46m summer signing set for Emirates debut

Andreas Christensen

Arsenal confirmed line-up vs Benfica – £46m summer signing Alexandre Lacazette set for Emirates debut

Arsenal take on the Portuguese giants Benfica tonight in the Emirates Cup.

Gunner boss Arsene Wenger has named a largely changed starting line-up which featured during Arsenal’s tour of China.

The French tactician has stuck with a three-man defence comprised of Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker and summer signing Kolasinac.

Meanwhile £45m signing Alexandre Lacazette starts today’s clash on the bench. However the France international is expected to make his Emirates debut before full-time.

Alexis Sanchez – whose Arsenal future is yet to be decided hasn’t been included in the squad. Ozil – who also has under 12 months left on his contract – starts today’s clash on the bench.

Wenger has also opted to give youngster Maitland-Niles a place in the starting XI.

Mesut Ozil and Lacazette’s omission from the starting lineup may frustrate Arsenal fans. The duo linked up well during the Gunners tour of China.

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Arsenal confirmed line-up: Ospina, Holding, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Nelson, Xhaka, Coquelin, Maitland-Niles, Walcott, Iwobi, Giroud