Benfica vs. Arsenal: match preview

Benfica vs. Arsenal
Kickoff: 2:45 PM EDT, Saturday, August 6, Lisbon, Portugal
TV Coverage: Arsenal.com/Arsenal Player (subscribers only)

Arsenal take on Portuguese runners-up Benfica in their final preseason warmup of the summer tomorrow in Lisbon. Apparently this match is the final of something called the "Eusebio Cup". I can only hope that Eusebio himself will be there, because he is AWESOME*.

Benfica feature some interesting names, including former Barcelona striker Javier Saviola, attacking midfielder Pablo Aimar, Uruguayan wing back Maxi Pereira, and Spain international defender Joan Capdevila. It will be a good matchup for Arsenal at the close of the season, and with Newcastle away only eight days from now (eeeep!), tomorrow could indicate some things about Aresnal's potential XI for the Premier League.

Update: Neither Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri or Laurent Koscielny make the trip. Fabregas is not fit enough according to Arsene Wenger, though many are speculating he could be on the verge of departing. Nasri and Koscielny are presumed to be injured, especially as Nasri didn't train yesterday or today from what one could see from Arsenal.com pictures. Hopefully all 3 will be fit for Newcastle next week, but Fabregas, having not played at all this preseason, is doubtful to play. 

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* 638 goals in 614 appearances for Benfica. 41 in 64 for Portugal. Yep.