Arsenal against Braga

There are still a few minutes left for the Gunners...

The chants of "we want seven" echoing around the Emirates.

Lima tries an optimistic effort from 30 yards and the ball has gone as high as the Peruvian capital that shares his name.

<b>Arsenal 6-0 Braga</b>Wilshere with a superb pass over to Fabregas. He was through but despite being on a hat-trick, spotted Vela on his left and passed it unselfishly to his team-mate who side-footed home from seven yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vela slides it in after unselfish play from Fabregas.

Poor delivery.

Wilshere late on Garcia and it's a Braga free-kick.

Vandinho brings down Vela and the Mexican receives the short free-kick before spooning a shot high and wide.

Wasted as Fabregas is ruled offside receiving a return pass.

Delightful pass from Wilshere searching for Fabregas and Felipe makes a hash of trying to collect. Arsenal corner.

Eboue and Fabregas with a smart interchange but the Ivorian can't find his captain with a return pass.

Nasri down the left now, he sets it back for Eboue but the ball breaks for a goal-kick.

The Oles go up for every pass, but the fans could have relistically started those shouts after half an hour!

15 minutes left, can Braga emerge from this game with any credit? Lima hasn't had a sniff since he came on. Alan is their only player who can emerge from the second period with any sort of credit - he's looked lively.

Eboue has it back and searches for Fabregas but his pass from the right wing is underhit.

Eboue drives Arsenal forward and the ball is out to Clichy now on the left.

The Braga players look completely deflated - and so they should. Arsenal's biggest Champions League win was 7-0 against Slavia Prague, can they equal it?!

Real Madrid are 1-0 up against Ajax - Higuain the scorer.

AC Milan are 2-0 up against Auxerre courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace.

<i>Stats: Fabregas has scored five goals in his last four Champions League matches at Emirates Stadium.</i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Barbosa on for Paulo Cesar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Eboue on for Arshavin.

<b>Arsenal 5-0 Braga</b>. Arshavin cuts inside from the left, looks like he's going to shoot but instead slips Vela in with a perfectly weighted pass. The Mexican uses the ball's momentum to lift it delicately over Felipe. Great finish.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vela in his ususal style with a lovely chip.

It came back to him and he tried to tee up Fabregas but it was just too crowded in the Braga box.

Arshavin rattles the post with a rasping right foot shot from just inside the area.

Alan and Paulo Cesar link well down the right but the latter's cross is too close to Almunia.

<i>Stats: Chamakh completed all 28 attempted passes for Arsenal in the first half.</i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sagna booked for a late challenge on Paulo Cesar down the Braga left wing.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Denilson on for Song.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Vela on for Chamakh.

Fabregas marauds down the right and uses his strength well to force a cross fromt he right. Unfortunately Nasri shows a distinct lack of anticipation.

Denilson warming up for Arsenal, he's about to come on.

Moments before that sub Arshavin fed Chamakh with a beautiful pass but he was ruled offside. Replays show he definitely wasn't.

Lima was a second-half sub against Sevilla in the qualifying play-off and scored a hat-trick. Not sure he will be quite so prolific today.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Lima on for Matheus

<i>Stats: Four of Braga's six league goals this season have been scored from outside the box. How they would love one of them now.</i>

Great through-ball from Arshavin to create the chance.

He lifts the ball over the goalkeeper but Felipe got something on it and Moises is able to clear before it goes over the line.

Fabregas on a hat-trick...

Song brought down by Paulo Cesar but straight after Chamakh takes down Miguel Garcia.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Mossoro on for Viana

<b>Arsenal 4-0 Braga</b>Rodriguez was dispossessed by Fabregas inside his own area, who poked the ball wide to Arshavin on the left. He had all the time in the world to pick a cross and Fabregas had just as much time to head it in with no-one close to him.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fabregas nods it home unmarked.

Alan manages to get in an advanced position but Clichy keeps him at bay.

Free-kick but no sign of a yellow card.

Late challenge by Nasri on Paulo Cesar - two footed and studs stamped down on his ankle. Bit of a naughty challenge that one.

Good turn of pace by Nasri to escape the clutches of Silvio, but his cross is poorly timed.

Good pressing high up the park by Alex Song and Arsenal have retrieved possession.

Braga really need to get Matheus into the game more, he was there most dangerous looking weapon in the first half.

<i>Arsenal have won and scored a penalty in each of their last three Champions league home games. </i>

Played towards the Russian on the edge of the box but he pulls out of an attempted volley. Must have felt the hammy a little.

Arashavin advances down the left and wins a corner.

No subs at half-time and it's damage limitation for Braga really.

Right we're off for the second half...

<b>HALF-TIME. Arsenal 3-0 Braga.</b> A sumptious performance from Wenger's charges, they have ruthlessly ripped apart the Portuguese debutants and are very good value for their lead. Fabregas' penalty, Arshavin and Chamakh the goalscorers. Grab a cuppa and we'll se eyou again in 15 minutes.

The whistle goes and the applause rings out around Emirates Stadium...

Lovely first time lay-off from Chamakh to Fabregas down the left but the Arsenal captain's attempted one-two with Nasri doesn't quite work.

Viana tries to engineer an opening but he's quickly closed down.

Deep in the Arsenal half, Garcia takes a throw from the right.

Now Braga come forward through Viana and Matheus and FINALLY, the Portuguese side keep some semblance of possession.

Arsenal's pressure is gust incessant and Braga are chasing shadows. Some of the Gunners' football has been superb.

<i>Stats: Marouane Chamakh has scored in each of his last four Champions League appearances.</i>

Braga are severely under the cosh - and it's clear to tell on this showing why none of the six Brazilians in their starting line-up have a single cap between them.

Chelsea are also 3-0 up in Slovakia, Anelka has scored the latest two goals.

No penalty.

Arshavin tried to glide past Silvio but he's gone over in the area...

Fabregas with an incisve pass into the feet of Nasri on the 18-yard line, but Rodriguez overpowers him and gets the ball away.

Wow, we could be looking at a rout here folks!

<b>Arsenal 3-0 Braga.</b> Lovely football by the Gunners, first between Fabregas and Wilshere and then the English teenager back-heeled the ball through the defender's legs to Chamakh, who hit a low shot easily past Felipe into the bottom left corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chamakh, created beautifully by Wilshere.

Braga are going to need to show the same sort of heart they showed against Sevilla in the qualifying play-off. They won 4-3 in Spain to get through to the group stage.

Just too easy for the Gunners, looks like a comfortable night ahead.

<b>Arsenal 2-0 Braga.</b> Alan gave it away, Fabregas tiptoed round three Braga players on the edge of the box before feeding Arshavin down the left of the area. The Russian unleashed a fierce right-foot shot past Felipe at his near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Arshavin smashes it home.

He tries to go down the side to Nasri but gives the ball straight to Braga.

Wilshere foulked by Rodriguez and it's a free-kick from 30 yards out. Fabregas going to float it in I reckon.

And now the Gunners move it ot the right through Wilshere and Fabregas.

Lovely ball from Song to release Clichy down the left.

<i>Stats: Possession currently stands at 64% to Arsenal, 36% to Braga. </i>

Luis Aguiar with a right-foot volley from 25 yards out. Well, well over.

Paulo Cesar brought down by Alex Song in midfield.

Good movement from Matheus as the ball is floated over to him, but he is just offside.

Arsenal just doing what they do best right now, knocking it around with consumate ease.

Great run by Alan, he speeds past Cesc Fabregas but can't produce a decent cross from the right.

For those of you who are interested, Chelsea lead 1-0 against MSK Zilina thanks to a Michael Essien goal.

Fabregas delivers it into the box but Felipe punches it away convincingly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rodriguez.

Arsenal have looked utterly dominant here and Chamakh has just won a free-kick after Rodriguez caught his leg while running across him.

Throw-in for Arsenal now, but it's given away and Braga can try and break forward.

Lovely exchange between Wilshere, Fabregas and Song - it was a great little back-heeled flick from the Gunners skipper, and Sagna is put in down the right.

Koscielny deals well with Matheus as the long hoof up field comes towards him.

Fabregas finds Chamakh with a raking 40-yard pass but the move breaks down.

Braga suffered their first Liga defeat since a 1-0 loss to last season's eventual champions SL Benfica on 27 March against Porto at the weekend, losing 3-2.

Paulo Cesar with a shot from outside the area but it deflected into the grateful grasp of Almunia.

Poor defensive work from Clichy - it fell to Alan in the box but he couldn't manufacture a shot.

Braga all over the place here, but they've managed to win a free-kick down the left-wing. Koscielny penalised for a foul on Matheus.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Felipe was booked for bringing down Chamakh for Arsenal's penalty.

Shot on goal by Wilshere and it's a decent save from Felipe from the left of the area. Arsenal moving through like a knife through butter.

<b>Arsenal 1-0 Braga.</b>Placed into the right-hand corner. The goalkeeper went the right way. But the Gunners are ahead.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fabregas puts it away.

Chamakh brought down by Felipe.

<b>PENALTY! </b>

A fanatstic through ball from Fabregas but Wilshere was just half a yard off.

But he's offside.

Wilshere clean through...

Ambitious volley from Viana. It was 30 yards out and he saw his name in lights but fired high over the bar.

Alan releases Matheus down the right and he's got plenty of pace but the ball has just escaped through to Almunia. Koscielny will have to be careful.

He's gone down again, but this time it looked a little less clear cut as he was just squeezed out by Moises and Rodriguez - Braga's centre-backs.

Penalty shout for the Gunners as Fabregas is brought down by Paulo Cesar just inside the box. Referee shakes his head much to the dismay of the Arsenal captain.

Great move from Arsenal, Wilshere released Arshavin who played the ball dangerously across the box towards Chamakh but it's just behind the Moroccan.

Nasri again encouraged to attack down the right but his attempted pass to Song is cut out.

Arsenal start things off and Song and Fabregas immediately link up well before Nasri's cross is collected by Braga goalkeeper Felipe (No. 84!).

Right we are off...

Much to my annoyance, Braga have some big shirt numbers in their team. Brazilian striker Matheus has 99 on his shirt and Vandinho has 88. Why?!

The players are on the pitch and we're nearing kick-off now. I'll be interested to see how the new defensive pairing of Squillaci and Koscielny get on in their second match together.

The average age of Wenger's midfield trio of Song, Wilshere and Fabregas is 21.

Arsenal are coming in to this one on the back of three consecutive Premier League wins, but are without Abou Diaby, who was injured against Bolton. Jack Wilshere is given another opportunity to shine, which I'm sure many Gunners fans are fairly excited about.

English fans may remember Brga midfielder Hugo Viana from his time at Newcastle. When he arrived at St James' Park he was European Young Player of the Year and cost £8 million but ESPNsoccernet's resident Magpies fan Chris Murphy describes his time on Tyneside as a "massive disappointment". Let's see if his sometimes sweet left-foot will be a valuable weapon tonight...

Braga are making their debut in the Champions League, having dominated the Portuguese League for most of last season before eventually succumbing to Benfica. A trip to Emirates Tsadium presents a fairly tricky test for Domingos Paciencia's side.

<b>Braga: Felipe, Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Silvio, Vandinho, Aguiar, Hugo Viana, Alan, Matheus, Paulo Cesar.</b> <p> Subs: Artur Moraes, Paulao, Mossoro, Helder Barbosa, Lima, Madrid, Elton.

<b>Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Nasri, Song, Fabregas, Wilshere, Arshavin, Chamakh. </b> <p> Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Denilson, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs.

Team news is in so here it goes...

Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of Arsenal's opening Champions League game of the 2010-11 camapign, against last season's Portuguese Liga runners-up Braga.

Arsene Wenger says that the English Premier League is still the <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=823341&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">strongest in Europe.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0806/arsenewengeremiratestraining20100805_275x155.jpg">

Eboue has it back and searches for Fabregas but his pass from the right wing is underhit.

Eboue drives Arsenal forward and the ball is out to Clichy now on the left.

The Braga players look completely deflated - and so they should. Arsenal's biggest Champions League win was 7-0 against Slavia Prague, can they equal it?!

Real Madrid are 1-0 up against Ajax - Higuain the scorer.

AC Milan are 2-0 up against Auxerre courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace.

<i>Stats: Fabregas has scored five goals in his last four Champions League matches at Emirates Stadium.</i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Barbosa on for Paulo Cesar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Eboue on for Arshavin.

<b>Arsenal 5-0 Braga</b>. Arshavin cuts inside from the left, looks like he's going to shoot but instead slips Vela in with a perfectly weighted pass. The Mexican uses the ball's momentum to lift it delicately over Felipe. Great finish.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vela in his ususal style with a lovely chip.

It came back to him and he tried to tee up Fabregas but it was just too crowded in the Braga box.

Arshavin rattles the post with a rasping right foot shot from just inside the area.

Alan and Paulo Cesar link well down the right but the latter's cross is too close to Almunia.

<i>Stats: Chamakh completed all 28 attempted passes for Arsenal in the first half.</i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sagna booked for a late challenge on Paulo Cesar down the Braga left wing.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Denilson on for Song.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal sub: Vela on for Chamakh.

Fabregas marauds down the right and uses his strength well to force a cross fromt he right. Unfortunately Nasri shows a distinct lack of anticipation.

Denilson warming up for Arsenal, he's about to come on.

Moments before that sub Arshavin fed Chamakh with a beautiful pass but he was ruled offside. Replays show he definitely wasn't.

Lima was a second-half sub against Sevilla in the qualifying play-off and scored a hat-trick. Not sure he will be quite so prolific today.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Lima on for Matheus

<i>Stats: Four of Braga's six league goals this season have been scored from outside the box. How they would love one of them now.</i>

Great through-ball from Arshavin to create the chance.

He lifts the ball over the goalkeeper but Felipe got something on it and Moises is able to clear before it goes over the line.

Fabregas on a hat-trick...

Song brought down by Paulo Cesar but straight after Chamakh takes down Miguel Garcia.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Braga sub: Mossoro on for Viana

<b>Arsenal 4-0 Braga</b>Rodriguez was dispossessed by Fabregas inside his own area, who poked the ball wide to Arshavin on the left. He had all the time in the world to pick a cross and Fabregas had just as much time to head it in with no-one close to him.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fabregas nods it home unmarked.

Alan manages to get in an advanced position but Clichy keeps him at bay.

Free-kick but no sign of a yellow card.

Late challenge by Nasri on Paulo Cesar - two footed and studs stamped down on his ankle. Bit of a naughty challenge that one.

Good turn of pace by Nasri to escape the clutches of Silvio, but his cross is poorly timed.

Good pressing high up the park by Alex Song and Arsenal have retrieved possession.

Braga really need to get Matheus into the game more, he was there most dangerous looking weapon in the first half.

<i>Arsenal have won and scored a penalty in each of their last three Champions league home games. </i>

Played towards the Russian on the edge of the box but he pulls out of an attempted volley. Must have felt the hammy a little.

Arashavin advances down the left and wins a corner.

No subs at half-time and it's damage limitation for Braga really.

Right we're off for the second half...

<b>HALF-TIME. Arsenal 3-0 Braga.</b> A sumptious performance from Wenger's charges, they have ruthlessly ripped apart the Portuguese debutants and are very good value for their lead. Fabregas' penalty, Arshavin and Chamakh the goalscorers. Grab a cuppa and we'll se eyou again in 15 minutes.

The whistle goes and the applause rings out around Emirates Stadium...

Lovely first time lay-off from Chamakh to Fabregas down the left but the Arsenal captain's attempted one-two with Nasri doesn't quite work.

Viana tries to engineer an opening but he's quickly closed down.

Deep in the Arsenal half, Garcia takes a throw from the right.

Now Braga come forward through Viana and Matheus and FINALLY, the Portuguese side keep some semblance of possession.

Arsenal's pressure is gust incessant and Braga are chasing shadows. Some of the Gunners' football has been superb.

<i>Stats: Marouane Chamakh has scored in each of his last four Champions League appearances.</i>

Braga are severely under the cosh - and it's clear to tell on this showing why none of the six Brazilians in their starting line-up have a single cap between them.

Chelsea are also 3-0 up in Slovakia, Anelka has scored the latest two goals.

No penalty.

Arshavin tried to glide past Silvio but he's gone over in the area...

Fabregas with an incisve pass into the feet of Nasri on the 18-yard line, but Rodriguez overpowers him and gets the ball away.

Wow, we could be looking at a rout here folks!

<b>Arsenal 3-0 Braga.</b> Lovely football by the Gunners, first between Fabregas and Wilshere and then the English teenager back-heeled the ball through the defender's legs to Chamakh, who hit a low shot easily past Felipe into the bottom left corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chamakh, created beautifully by Wilshere.

Braga are going to need to show the same sort of heart they showed against Sevilla in the qualifying play-off. They won 4-3 in Spain to get through to the group stage.

Just too easy for the Gunners, looks like a comfortable night ahead.

<b>Arsenal 2-0 Braga.</b> Alan gave it away, Fabregas tiptoed round three Braga players on the edge of the box before feeding Arshavin down the left of the area. The Russian unleashed a fierce right-foot shot past Felipe at his near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Arshavin smashes it home.

He tries to go down the side to Nasri but gives the ball straight to Braga.

Wilshere foulked by Rodriguez and it's a free-kick from 30 yards out. Fabregas going to float it in I reckon.

And now the Gunners move it ot the right through Wilshere and Fabregas.

Lovely ball from Song to release Clichy down the left.

<i>Stats: Possession currently stands at 64% to Arsenal, 36% to Braga. </i>

Luis Aguiar with a right-foot volley from 25 yards out. Well, well over.

Paulo Cesar brought down by Alex Song in midfield.

Good movement from Matheus as the ball is floated over to him, but he is just offside.

Arsenal just doing what they do best right now, knocking it around with consumate ease.

Great run by Alan, he speeds past Cesc Fabregas but can't produce a decent cross from the right.

For those of you who are interested, Chelsea lead 1-0 against MSK Zilina thanks to a Michael Essien goal.

Fabregas delivers it into the box but Felipe punches it away convincingly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rodriguez.

Arsenal have looked utterly dominant here and Chamakh has just won a free-kick after Rodriguez caught his leg while running across him.

Throw-in for Arsenal now, but it's given away and Braga can try and break forward.

Lovely exchange between Wilshere, Fabregas and Song - it was a great little back-heeled flick from the Gunners skipper, and Sagna is put in down the right.

Koscielny deals well with Matheus as the long hoof up field comes towards him.

Fabregas finds Chamakh with a raking 40-yard pass but the move breaks down.

Braga suffered their first Liga defeat since a 1-0 loss to last season's eventual champions SL Benfica on 27 March against Porto at the weekend, losing 3-2.

Paulo Cesar with a shot from outside the area but it deflected into the grateful grasp of Almunia.

Poor defensive work from Clichy - it fell to Alan in the box but he couldn't manufacture a shot.

Braga all over the place here, but they've managed to win a free-kick down the left-wing. Koscielny penalised for a foul on Matheus.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Felipe was booked for bringing down Chamakh for Arsenal's penalty.

Shot on goal by Wilshere and it's a decent save from Felipe from the left of the area. Arsenal moving through like a knife through butter.

<b>Arsenal 1-0 Braga.</b>Placed into the right-hand corner. The goalkeeper went the right way. But the Gunners are ahead.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fabregas puts it away.

Chamakh brought down by Felipe.

<b>PENALTY! </b>

A fanatstic through ball from Fabregas but Wilshere was just half a yard off.

But he's offside.

Wilshere clean through...

Ambitious volley from Viana. It was 30 yards out and he saw his name in lights but fired high over the bar.

Alan releases Matheus down the right and he's got plenty of pace but the ball has just escaped through to Almunia. Koscielny will have to be careful.

He's gone down again, but this time it looked a little less clear cut as he was just squeezed out by Moises and Rodriguez - Braga's centre-backs.

Penalty shout for the Gunners as Fabregas is brought down by Paulo Cesar just inside the box. Referee shakes his head much to the dismay of the Arsenal captain.

Great move from Arsenal, Wilshere released Arshavin who played the ball dangerously across the box towards Chamakh but it's just behind the Moroccan.

Nasri again encouraged to attack down the right but his attempted pass to Song is cut out.

Arsenal start things off and Song and Fabregas immediately link up well before Nasri's cross is collected by Braga goalkeeper Felipe (No. 84!).

Right we are off...

Much to my annoyance, Braga have some big shirt numbers in their team. Brazilian striker Matheus has 99 on his shirt and Vandinho has 88. Why?!

The players are on the pitch and we're nearing kick-off now. I'll be interested to see how the new defensive pairing of Squillaci and Koscielny get on in their second match together.

The average age of Wenger's midfield trio of Song, Wilshere and Fabregas is 21.

Arsenal are coming in to this one on the back of three consecutive Premier League wins, but are without Abou Diaby, who was injured against Bolton. Jack Wilshere is given another opportunity to shine, which I'm sure many Gunners fans are fairly excited about.

English fans may remember Brga midfielder Hugo Viana from his time at Newcastle. When he arrived at St James' Park he was European Young Player of the Year and cost £8 million but ESPNsoccernet's resident Magpies fan Chris Murphy describes his time on Tyneside as a "massive disappointment". Let's see if his sometimes sweet left-foot will be a valuable weapon tonight...

Braga are making their debut in the Champions League, having dominated the Portuguese League for most of last season before eventually succumbing to Benfica. A trip to Emirates Tsadium presents a fairly tricky test for Domingos Paciencia's side.

<b>Braga: Felipe, Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Silvio, Vandinho, Aguiar, Hugo Viana, Alan, Matheus, Paulo Cesar.</b> <p> Subs: Artur Moraes, Paulao, Mossoro, Helder Barbosa, Lima, Madrid, Elton.

<b>Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Nasri, Song, Fabregas, Wilshere, Arshavin, Chamakh. </b> <p> Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Denilson, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs.

Team news is in so here it goes...

Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of Arsenal's opening Champions League game of the 2010-11 camapign, against last season's Portuguese Liga runners-up Braga.

Arsene Wenger says that the English Premier League is still the <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=823341&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">strongest in Europe.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0806/arsenewengeremiratestraining20100805_275x155.jpg">