Yaya Sanogo (Arsenal) scores against Benfica (Reuters)Sanogo - often the brunt of jokes for his limited goalscoring record - did not grab his quartet of goals in spectacular fashion. All had an element of comedy or pure farce about them, but nonetheless did at least prove that he was in the right areas to score. First he clumsily backheeled a ball in from the always impressive Aaron Ramsey; then he tapped Joel Campbell’s pass home from extremely close range after Benfica’s failure to understand the second-phase element of the offside law became evident; and he followed that on the stroke of half-time by sneaking into the box and prodding past the onrushing and helpless Artur.
Campbell himself had added the other first-half goal, on 40 minutes, with a beautiful finish on the volley after Hector Bellerin played him in with a tremendous ball.
Arsenal had spent the first half putting together some very aesthetically pleasing moves; and the new evidence of firepower to convert the chances will have been equally pleasing to the fans.
Sanogo added his fourth shortly after the break with a sharp finish, showing his alertness to pounce on the rebound from Campbell’s parried shot. He demonstrated his glee then by heading out towards the stand to high-five the cheering fans - but as always there was an element of ridiculousness mixed in with it all as he slipped over by the corner flag.
Benfica pulled back a consolation goal just after the hour mark when Nicolas Gaitan beat the Arsenal defence to head home.
If Arsenal fans were gloomy at the spoiling of their party, it did not last for long, with festivities breaking out around the ground to herald the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, a substitute for the last 18 minutes, and already looking very at home.
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