Hello there! Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of Arsenal's clash with Monaco in the Emirates Cup. No rest for the wicked - let's bring you some team news...

ARSENAL: Szczesny; Debuchy, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal; Wilshere, Arteta, Alexis, Ramsey, Cazorla; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Miquel, Hayden, Bellerin, Coquelin, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Zelalem, Akpom

The big news from an Arsenal perspective is that Alexis Sanchez makes his first start since joining the club from Barcelona earlier this summer. The Chilean international made a cameo appearance during yesterday's 5-1 thrashing of Benfica, but manager Arsene Wenger has put him in from the beginning this afternoon. Meanwhile, Mathieu Debuchy makes his debut for the Gunners. Wenger has made eight changes in total, with Wojciech Szczesny, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Laurent Koscielny among those give the nod.

MONACO: Subasic; Carvalho, Raggi, Dirar, Echiejile; Bakayoko, Kondogbia, Ferreira-Carrasco, Moutinho, Ocampos; Falcao

MONACO SUBS: Caillard, Fabinho, Kurzawa, Germain, Isimat-Mirin, Martial, Toulalan, Bahamboula, Diallo, Berbatov

Monaco, who drew 2-2 with Valencia yesterday, will be delighted to have Radamel Falcao back in their starting XI following a lengthy absence with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov only makes the bench. The Bulgarian striker is sure to get a hostile reception if he comes on due to his links with Tottenham Hotspur.

Here's Alexis Sánchez and Radamel Falcao 7 years ago playing together for River Plate. Today, they're opponents. pic.twitter.com/MWefxSlKHX — Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) August 3, 2014

A little refresher for those of you who don't know how the Emirates Cup works. There are four teams in the competition, with each team playing twice across the weekend. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and the teams will also get an additional point for every goal that they score. If there are two teams who are level on points and goals scored by the end of the weekend, the winner will be decided by the most shots on target. However, Arsenal's big win yesterday has put them in a prime position to lift the trophy. They currently trail Valencia, who beat Benfica 3-1 earlier today, by just a single point.

This afternoon's match also hold some significance for Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman was in charge of Monaco for seven years at the start of his coaching career. During that time Wenger led Monaco to the 1988 Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France in 1991.

Here's @Alexis_Sanchez about to warm up ahead of #AFCvMON... pic.twitter.com/Ez4KlAxVaq — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 3, 2014

Alexis Sanchez, who is wanting to go by the name of Alexis, by the way, received a rapturous reception when he took to the field for Arsenal yesterday. He showed one or two glimpses of what he is capable against Benfica, but today gives him the chance to impress from the start.

Here come the teams!

The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Arsenal to get us underway. For those of you who are interested, it's a bright day in North London with a little bit of cloud cover overhead.

It's been a good start for Arsenal, who are showing a good level of intensity during these early stages. There's some concern when Giroud goes to ground following a challenge from Carvalho, but the Frenchman is okay. That probably won't be the first time that the Monaco defender nobbles someone today.

While it's been a decent opening for the Gunners, they've yet to really trouble Monaco in the final third. Still, Arsene Wenger will be happy with the hunger that his players have shown so far. The same can't quite be said of Monaco, who are struggling to get a word in.

Arsenal are in total control at the moment. They're using the width of the pitch pretty well, with new signings Alexis and Debuchy getting involved whenever they can. Monaco earn themselves a corner as they threaten for the first time, but it comes to nothing.

A bit of slack defending from Arsenal there, letting Moutinho have a crack at goal from 25 yards out. However, the midfielder's effort went high and wide. The game seems to have opened up a bit more in the last couple of minutes, though it's Arsenal who remain on top.

CHANCE! Almost a freak goal for Monaco! Carrasco's cross from the right didn't look particularly good, but it almost crept in at the back post. That certainly would have been against the run of play.

A decent opening for Arsenal now. The ball is sprayed out wide to Cazorla, whose first-time pass falls into the path of Ramsey. The Welshman drives into the box before putting in a cross, though it misses two red shirts waiting in the middle.

A little bit of confusion in the Arsenal box as Falcao almost gets a sniff of goal, but Debuchy does well to put the striker off and win the ball back for the hosts. Falcao is starting to show a few glimpses of what makes him one of the best attackers in world football. The Gunners can't give him too much time or space.

A dodgy moment in the Monaco box sees goalkeeper Subasic almost dispossessed by Alexis. The forward closed down the shotstopper with that trademark pace of his, though Subasic just about managed to get rid of the ball.

CHANCE! A decent opening for Monaco there as Moutinho pokes the ball wide from close range. The midfielder got on the end of a good cross from the left, but he had a red shirt behind him which appeared to put him off his effort.

This is definitely Monaco's best spell of the match. The Ligue 1 side is starting to ask a few questions of the Arsenal defence. Their latest shot sees Carrasco blaze the ball a few yards over the bar with a speculative drive from about 30 yards. Not a bad effort, though Szczesny looked to have had it covered.

CHANCE! Carrasco tries his luck again, this time from the edge of the box after a dynamic run. His low drive gives Szczesny something to think about, though the Arsenal goalkeeper is equal to it as he gets down low to gather.

A good move from Arsenal ends with Wilshere having a shot saved by Subasic, though it wouldn't have counted because the offside flag is up. It looked as if Giroud was the man who drifted beyond the last defender there. Monaco then win a couple of corners in quick succession up the other end, only for the Arsenal defence to clear the danger on both occasions.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the match goes the way of Arsenal midfielder Wilshere for his late challenge on Dirar. No complaints from the England international.

Monaco make the breakthrough from the resulting free kick through Falcao! The ball was whipped in from the right side, and there was the striker to nod home. It has to be said that Arsenal's defending was woeful there. The Colombian had no one around him.

Monaco have stepped things up a gear since going in front. Their passing is looking a lot crisper, while their movement in the final third has also improved. That goal has certainly put a spring in their step.

It's hard to see how Arsenal are going to get back into this match at the moment. The Gunners have lost a bit of that spark that they had up front earlier in the game. Still, Arsene Wenger has plenty of options on the bench if he wants to mix things up at the break. Not long to go until we hear the half-time whistle.

Just the one minute of added time signalled by the fourth official as Ocampos's cheeky flick from a corner goes wide of the post.

The half-time whistle goes, bringing an end to what has been a fairly mediocre opening 45 minutes of football. Arsenal were the dominant side early on, but Monaco soon found their feet and managed to take the lead through Falcao's header.

As things stand it will be Valencia who win the Emirates Cup. However, Arsenal only need a 1-1 draw to put their name on the trophy. They're still capable of winning this match, but they will need to improve on their first-half showing if they want that to happen.

A word on Falcao's goal: Moutinho's cross from the right was a decent one, but the striker was afforded far too much space inside the Arsenal box to head home. Looking at the replays, it would appear that Chambers was the man who switched off to allow the Colombian an acre of space.

Three players who might help the Arsenal cause in the second half are Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Zelalem. Will Arsene Wenger stick with what he's got or make a few changes at the start of the second period? Not long until we find out.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and it will be Monaco who get us back underway. Arsenal have made two changes during the interval, with Miquel and Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing Chambers and Arteta.

Not a great deal to report on after the opening few minutes of the second half. Not a great deal of intensity from either side, but you get the feeling that Arsenal are trying to pin Monaco back as much as possible.

CHANCE! Nearly an equaliser for Arsenal! A penetrating passing move ended with Wilshere driving a shot at goal from close range, but Subasic was on hand to make a fine save. Top goalkeeping from the Monaco man to keep his side in front.

The Monaco defence has to be alert there because Alexis found some space in the box. The forward tried to wriggle himself free of his marker, but the visitors stood form to see out the danger. Oxlade-Chamberlain looks to have made an instant impact on this game, giving Arsenal a bit of impetus.

Something of a half-chance for Arsenal as Alexis takes aim with a free kick from 25 yards, only for his effort to smash against the wall and out of play. The resulting corner causes one or two problems inside the Monaco box, though the Ligue 1 side eventually clear.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Two changes for Monaco as Falcao and Moutinho are replaced by Germain and Martial. Considering he's only recently come back from a serious knee injury, Falcao has looked impressive this afternoon.

CHANCE! Close again for Arsenal! Some indecision inside the Monaco box sees Alexis given a sight of goal on the angle. The Chilean lashes an effort towards goal, though his effort can only go the wrong side of the post.

Arsenal are starting to push a bit harder now in their search for an equaliser. They've upped the tempo and aren't allowing Monaco to see too much of the ball at either end of the pitch. A bit more composure in advanced positions and they could grab an equaliser.

YELLOW CARD! Arsenal substitute Miquel goes into the book for a late challenge on Germain just as Monaco were looking to break. Referee Martin Atkinson could have allowed play to continue there, but he opted to blow for the foul instead.

Arsenal continue to ask questions of Monaco as the clock ticks towards the 90-minute mark, but the visitors are looking very compact and solid at the moment. It must be said that the French side have been impressive today. They've soaked up a fair bit of Arsenal pressure while also looking threatening on the counter-attack.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Monaco now as Ocampos makes way for Fabinho. Around 20 minutes of normal time left to play at the Emirates Stadium.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Now it's Arsenal's turn to make a few changes. Zelalem, Flamini and Akpom are all on, while Alexis, Cazorla and Wilshere are the three players to make way.

This game's gone a bit scrappy during the last few minutes. Arsenal are finding it difficult to break Monaco down, while the away side is looking to hit their opponents on the break. There are some huge gaps appearing across the pitch.

Correction: not a penalty to Arsenal! Some real confusion here. Zelalem broke the offside trap before being tripped by Monaco goalkeeper Subasic. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the penalty spot before seemingly changing his mind and giving a free kick. However, replays show that the foul was committed inside the box. The resulting free kick was fired off target by Ramsey. That's a rotten decision from the officials.

SUBTITUTIONS: Two more changes for Monaco as Kurzawa and Abdennour come on for Kondogbia and Carvalho. One final thing about that botched penalty decision: Monaco goalkeeper Subasic was only given a yellow card when surely a red would have been the correct decision. He was easily the last man when he tripped Zelalem.

Time really is running out for Arsenal now. They haven't let that penalty decision affect them, but there's little in the way of an attacking threat from the Gunners at the moment. Remember, one goal will win them the Emirates Cup.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Arsenal sees Bellerin replace Debuchy, who has been fairly solid on his debut for the club.

There will be two minutes of added time...

The full-time whistle goes which means that Valencia have won the Emirates Cup! A goal at the end would have secured the title for Arsenal, but they were eventually beaten 1-0 by Monaco thanks to Falcao's first-half header.

That's all from me for now but we will have plenty of reaction from today's match coming up right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!