On the first day of the Emirates Cup, Yaya Sanogo scored four goals as Arsenal eased to a 5–1 victory over Benfica, while Valencia and Monaco played out a 2–2 draw.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim fielded an expensively assembled team,[3] which included midfielders João Moutinho and Geoffrey Kondogbia, and striker Radamel Falcao all on the substitutes' bench.

[4] Valencia started well and created the game's first chance in the 8th minute – Rodrigo De Paul collected a pass from Antonio Barragán and his effort sailed over the crossbar.

[4] Sofiane Feghouli then forced goalkeeper Danijel Subašić into a save, before Anthony Martial created Monaco's first meaningful chance in the 23rd minute which was on target.

[4] They went ahead in the second half through Paco Alcácer's goal, but Lucas Ocampos equalised for Monaco in the 80th minute and the score stayed 2–2 at the final whistle.

[6][7] The hosts made a lively start and went ahead in the 26th minute; Yaya Sanogo with his back on goal managed to back-flick the ball past goalkeeper Artur Moraes.

The Spanish side went a goal behind in the second minute after Benfica forward Franco Jara ran down the right and crossed the ball in the penalty area for Derley to score.

[11] Though Arsenal picked up the pace in the second half, aided by Wenger's substitutions and the decision to play Sánchez in a central forward position, they were unable to score.