The Real Madrid midfielder, who was barred from participating in the sold-out match at Highbury, was allowed to kick-off the contest between an Arsenal XI and an England XI, but was instructed to do nothing more by Spanish giants.
A statement from Beckham's representatives read: "It is with deepest regret that Real Madrid have refused permission for David to participate in this evening's game, so out of respect to Martin, David can regrettably only start this evening's game."
The statement, which was read to the crowd before kick-off, received jeers and boos from the Gunners faithful.
But despite Real's instructions, the former Manchester United star delighted the crowd by making a point of staying on the pitch for three minutes before being reluctantly replaced by former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne.
The events come a day after Beckham was sent off for Los Galacticos in an embarrassing 2-1 Spanish Primera Liga defeat to bottom club Murcia.
The midfielder was given his marching orders on Sunday for verbally lashing out at one of the linesmen in the match at Murcia's Estadio Condomina.
Beckham lined up in an England XI side that included Chelsea's John Terry, Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe, Blackburn Rovers striker Andy Cole and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Keown, who will be leaving the North London club in the summer, started alongside Sol Campbell in an Arsenal XI - while club legends Lee Dixon and Ian Wright also made appearances in the testimonial.
Wright was partnered up front with Thierry Henry in the first half, but it was only to last 10 minutes before the former England man swapped shirts with the French goalscoring maestro and he headed off the pitch to trade another shirt with a supporter in the crowd.
