LIVE BLOG END

That's it from me, I hope you enjoyed my coverage of this exciting preseason friendly.

Stay-tuned for my piece on six things we learned from this match later on, but for now, enjoy the rest of your day and get ready for some real football in just a few days.

Until next time, cheers everyone.

Post-match

That will really encourage Arsenal fans about their team's prospects for the season ahead, and things are looking up for Arsene Wenger's side.

It doesn't look like there were any injuries or problems, so all that's left now is one more wee of waiting until the season-opener vs. Sunderland next Saturday.

FULL TIME:

That's it! Arsenal put on a great performance in their final preseason tune-up before the start of the season and thrash Cologne 4-0.

Each new signing played an instrumental role in the victory, and the entire team put in a wonderful all-around performance to wipe out their opponents and keep a clean sheet.

89'—Ooh, great chances at both ends in a few seconds! Arshavin ran right through Cologne's defence and the ball fell to Gervinho, whose shot was only stopped by a heroic block right near goal.

Then, at the other end, Szczesny had to fly out and deal with a Cologne player who stormed through his back line and he saved from close range.

87'—It's gotten a bit slow and scrappy now, as Djourou is fouled in midfield and Cologne have the ball in their own half. Probably no more goals in this one, just both teams playing out the final few minutes.

84'—Cologne fans beginning to exit now. I don't blame them for being dissatisfied with a thrashing like this, but they never had a chance against Arsenal with the Gunners as effective as they were today.

83'—I feel like a fool for never mentioning that Cazorla has been on the pitch this whole time, and his continues to make Arsenal's midfield hum.

I'm really excited to see what he can do in tandem with Mikel Arteta and/or Jack Wilshere.

81'—Arsenal as a team has put in a really good shift in halves, denying Cologne chances and very eager to score on the counter or with sustained buildup.

Good, balanced play that is good to see.

79'—Cologne have it around Arsenal's box and by the corner flag, but that doesn't last for long, as the ball is cleared far up the pitch.

76'—Twinkle-toed Alex Song almost makes a pass to break the offside trap, but a defender cuts it out. All Arsenal all the time.

74'—Arsenal slicing and dicing once more, as Chamakh wins a corner that is eventually cleared to another Arsenal player.

Meanwhile, my Arab announcer is going on about something related to Manchester United and Manchester City. Presumably van Persie-related. He seems very excited.

73'—Arsenal substitution

Looks like Marouane Chamakh is coming on for Serge Gnabry.

72'—Diaby gives it away in midfield, and Cologne attack again. Check that, they give it away, and an Arsenal counter almost produces a goal from Robin van Persie.

70'—Make of this what you will, but van Persie was given the captain's armband when he came on the pitch. Thomas Vermaelen isn't on, but that'll surely stir up a good deal of speculation.

I don't want to get into that kind of guessing game, though.

69'—Arsenal substitution:

Lukas Podolski is off after a great day, and, guess who comes on: Robin van Persie.

68'—Another half-chance for Podolski to complete his hat-trick, as the ball fell to him in the center of the penalty box, but his open space quickly evaporated and the shot was blocked.

68'—Szczesny comes out to deal with another cross, but he hasn't been really troubled thus far.

67'—Cologne have a corner, and Arsenal get organized, per Szczesny's commands. Whipped in and defended without much trouble the the Arsenal unit.

65'—Arsenal still passing it around, dominating more and more as we enter the final half-hour of the game.

The center-back pairing is now Koscielny and Djourou, if anyone is interested.

62'—GOAL!!!

Just a typical Gervinho goal from the Ivorian. He raced down the left flank, turned around a defender with his trademark dribbling, the goalkeeper started to move off his near post, and Gervinho rolled it in from a very tight angle.

Excellent stuff.

62'—Cologne make a substitution, but, as usual, no one wants to say who is off and on. Sorry.

61'—Arsenal finding lots of space between Cologne's midfield and defence, but the killer ball is deserting them at the moment. Appeals for handball just outside the area are waved away.

59'—Holy crap, what a chance for Cologne! A rocket from maybe 35 or 40 yards caught Szczesny off his line, bounced straight up off the crossbar, and Szczesny collected it. Wow, didn't see that coming.

58'—Threatening low cross is defended well by Arsenal, and Szczesny collects the second cross without any difficulty. Looks like Cologne are preparing a substitute.

56'—Cologne are stringing some passes together, but it's really all Arsenal at this point. The game is being played completely at their pace.