Arsenal begin their pre-season tour of the United States with a high-profile friendly against the MLS All-Stars in Washington DC tonight. Mikel Arteta has named Declan Rice on the bench, after he completed his blockbuster £105million move from West Ham last week, while fellow new signings Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber also among the substitutes at Audi Field.
Arsenal are two games deep into their pre-season preparations after draws against Watford and in Germany against Nurnberg. Clearly, results are not the most important thing at this stage of the summer but Arteta will nevertheless be keen to see his new arrivals hit the ground running, particularly with such a big campaign to come.
The MLS All-Stars line up – managed by DC United boss Wayne Rooney – has Christian Benteke leading the line, with many of their players are already halfway through the domestic season, offering Arsenal a real test. Follow all the action live below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Live updates
39 mins: Vieira down for Arsenal, though he’s spending most of his time complaining so I think he’s fine.
Looks to have taken a slight blow to the head as he won the ball back, maybe an elbow caught him by mistake.
36 mins: Almada takes it with his first touch since coming on, whipped into the side-netting.
All-Stars quickly back on the attack, Gil with a great chance but he balloons the effort miles over the bar. He was completely free, 12 yards out.
He was also offside – stand down.
34 mins: Loads of changes for the All-Stars during that break – Arsenal unchanged as you’d expect.
Hollingshead is one of those still on the pitch for the MLS outfit, he bursts forward and gets brought down by Nketiah, free-kick in a great position.
31 mins: Bouanga drives into the box, ball into the middle takes a slight deflection and Ramsdale turns it behind for a corner.
And the All-Stars nearly halve the deficit! Somehow comes all the way to Hollingshead in the middle, he diverts it towards the bottom corner but the ball bobbles wide of the far post.
Time for a drinks break.
28 mins: Huge chance missed!
Nketiah back to Trossard, all the time in the world to clip a ball into the box. He does just that, Jesus completely free at the back post but he can’t get the header on target. Should have scored.
26 mins: Poor Barreal is having a miserable time of it at left-back. On a yellow and he has Saka running at him, and skinning him, endlessly.
Here we go again… this time Barreal does get a foot in. Comes to Jorginho, and he’s clipped by Puig.
GOAL! MLS All-Stars 0-2 Arsenal | Leandro Trossard 23′
Arsenal double the lead!
This isn’t a bad finish either. Saka again involved, nothing knew there. A constant threat down the threat, again he cuts inside and plays the ball to the edge of the area.
Trossard takes a touch, works it onto his right foot and then whips it into the corner from 20 yards out.
19 mins: That will be another yellow card, can’t complain about that. Barreal cleans out Saka as the Arsenal man knocks the ball past him, too quick.
Saka takes it himself, Benteke back in his own box to head it away to safety.
16 mins: Kiwior is one more mistake away from Arteta marching onto the pitch and grabbing him.
Twice in a minute he takes far too long on the ball and gets caught, really sloppy so far. Puig steals it and is briefly in on goal, but Saliba is swiftly across to block the shot.
15 mins: Nketiah and Trossard with a lovely one-two, All-Star scramble it behind for a corner.
Referee is certainly not treating this as a friendly. Already a booking and now he’s delaying the set piece to warn both sets of players about holding in the box. Chill out.
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