MLS All-Stars 0 - 5 Arsenal - Match Report

Superb goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz – plus a penalty from Jorginho – gave us a well-deserved win in the MLS All-Star game in Washington.

We repeated our success from 2016 when we won 2-1 in that top game in San Jose, but it was a much more comfortable win.

In fact, it’s the biggest margin of victory against the MLS All-Stars since 2000 and the perfect way to kick-start our three-game streak in the States.

Early fireworks

After the pre-match show of fireworks, pyrotechnics, the national anthem and a flypast, it took less than five minutes for Jesus to prove Arsenal was the main attraction tonight.

We dominated possession in the opening rallies before Bukayo Saka was released by a wicked pass from Jorginho. He found Jesus just outside the box and the Brazilian fired a wonderful lob over the keeper and just under the bar for the first time.

Cheered on by the vast majority of the 20,000 sold-out crowd at Audi Field, we continued to dictate the game and scored another great goal mid-half.

Saka – who would win the MVP award – caused trouble again, slicing in from the right wing before sliding his pass across to Trossard. The Belgian shifted the ball to his right foot and then fired in from 20 yards out, giving Roman Burki no chance.

The All-Stars, managed by Wayne Rooney, made a number of changes as early as 30 minutes, including former Premier League striker and host club DC United star Christian Benteke.

Just before half-time the impressive Trossard fired a free-kick just wide but we had a good two-goal lead at the break.

Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Karl Hein all came on at half-time and within seconds of the restart we increased our lead.

Jorginho shot in typical fashion from 12 meters out, flat-footed the keeper and rolled the ball into the corner.

Rice bows

With 25 minutes remaining, Mikel Arteta sent Declan Rice on for his debut Arsenal shirt appearance. Jurrien Timber also made his non-competitive debut, playing at right-back while Ben White moved up the middle.

Both were warmly applauded for every ball possession. Despite the sweeping changes, we continued to view them as the most likely companies to score.

Odegaard’s superb pass set up our fourth as he found advancing Martinelli down the left, who put the ball into the box before sending his shot low into the corner.

Havertz came on late and delivered a great shot after excellently grounding the ball at the far post.

Arsenal: Ramsdale (Hein 46), White (Trusty 80), Saliba (Timber 65), Gabriel (Tomiyasu 65), Kiwior (Tierney 65), Jorginho (Rice 65), Trossard (Martinelli 56), Vieira (Marquinhos 65), Saka ( Havertz 46), Nketiah (Odegaard 46), Jesus (Balogun 65).

Unused subs: Runarsson, Holding, Cozier-Duberry.

What’s next

Next up is New York where we play Manchester United at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday. Next Wednesday we will conclude our US summer tour with a friendly against Barcelona in Los Angeles. For details on how to stream these matches on Arsenal.com click here.