A dominant performance from the Premier League side saw goals scored by Jesus, Trossard, Jorginho, Martinelli and Havertz.
Miquel Dominski
Jul 19, 2023 at 11:37 PM EDT
(All photos by Getty Images)
Contents
What’s next?
Arsenal continue their American pre-season tour with a match against Manchester United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday. It will be the first time that the two clubs meet on American soil.
Mikel Arteta’s club head to Los Angeles to face Barcelona at the SoFi Stadium next week, before returning to the other side of the Atlantic in time for an Emirates Cup tie against Monaco .
Meanwhile, MLS is taking a break from its regular season for the next month. Instead of regular season games, all MLS and Liga MX teams will compete in the inaugural League Cup, a new annual tournament.
That competition begins on Friday with a certain Lionel Messi who is expected to make his debut with Inter Miami against Cruz Azul.
Arteta says Havertz will try different positions
(All photos by Getty Images)
Arteta spoke about the positioning of new signing Kai Havertz: “At the moment he is playing as an attacking midfielder, but I am sure that over the course of the games we will have the opportunity to use him in different positions.”
He also spoke about US international Matt Turner, who was not in tonight’s squad: “The same thing he did last year. A big contribution to the squad, a big contribution to the goaltending unit . When he played, he did really well with us and the national team. He’s had a long, long year and he needed a break. He’ll be back with us.”
Finally, he added that Leandro Trossard received a blow during the match, and that his expulsion was precautionary.
Arteta praises American support
(All photos by Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta spoke after the match about Arsenal’s strong support in the US: “It was a great occasion. It was great to see so many Arsenal fans filling the stadium. Very happy with the final result.
“It’s great to see that no matter what city you’re in, you’ve got a lot of support. It’s great for the lads to realize how privileged they are to represent this football club.”
Rooney criticizes the referee, the seating situation
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows from Rooney after the game: “The referee made the game a bit about himself. That has to be improved in MLS, as I’ve said all season. So it’s a good opportunity to bring it up. again.”
Rooney also said that his technical staff was pushed out of their seats to accommodate seats for Apple representatives. He said that if the league asks him to coach the game, his staff should have the right to sit there, but also noted that he believes Apple will help MLS grow.
Rooney on his takeaway from this game: ‘Absolutely nothing’
Rooney also spoke about the unique nature of trying to coach an All-Star team: “It’s a good event, it’s traditionally a big event here. The difficulty is the players coming from different places. You don’t have time to do that with them.anything so try to have some fun.
“It’s great to be a part of, great to be involved in, all the events around it are great to be a part of, but obviously you want a different result.
“A lot of fans, different fans come to the game.”
When asked what he takes from the game as a coach, his answer was precise: “Absolutely nothing.”
Rooney praises Arsenal
The former Manchester United player and MLS All-Star/DC United manager had nothing but kind words for his old rivals after the game: “The result is what it is, Arsenal showed their quality. I thought the All-Star guys were a little nervous and hesitant, especially in the first half.
“I really like the players that Arsenal have signed. They have signed players with experience which is important. Players with size as well. I think they will do better than last season. They have a very good manager in Mikel Arteta.”
Return to Liga MX All-Stars?
MLS has now lost each of its last five All-Star Games against European teams, although two of those came via penalty shootout. Tonight’s result is the heaviest loss the MLS All-Stars have suffered against a foreign team.
On the other hand, the MLS All-Stars beat the Liga MX All-Stars when they met in both 2021 and 2022, although again in 2021 it was on penalties.
Match statistics
MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal
- Shots: 7 – 16
- Shots on goal: 1 – 5
- Saved: 0 – 1
- Possession: 44% – 56%
- Pass Accuracy: 87% – 87%
- Corners: 2 – 3
- Game scores: 1 – 0
- Fouls: 18 – 12
- Yellow cards: 4 – 2
Havertz celebrates Arsenal’s first goal
(All photos by Getty Images)
Saka was named MVP of the All-Star Game
(All photos by Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka was electric until he came off at halftime. Constantly freeing up the right wing, he terrorized MLS left back Alvaro Barreal.
Saka seems to be right back where he left off last month. Not only was he brilliant for Arsenal last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in the Premier League, but he also capped off his season with a brilliant hat-trick for England playing against North Macedonia.
FT: MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal
It’s all over! A full display of Arsenal in the first game of their US tour.
Havertz almost takes second place
90+4′ MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal
Martinelli rolls the ball to Havertz in front of the MLS box. The Brazilian wants a return pass but Havertz chooses to shoot, his shot has fallen into the roof of the net.
Second half stoppage time
90+1′ MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal
Six minutes of stoppage time are added at the end of the match.
GOAL! Havertz gets his first for Arsenal!
89′ MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal
Havertz receives the ball from Marquinhos in space at the back post, controls the ball with his chest and beats the MLS keeper from the byline!
His first goal with his new club.
The wood has been excellent
89′ MLS All-Stars 0-4 Arsenal
It’s pre-season, he’s played 15 minutes, the tempo has died…
But Jurrien Timber has been excellent so far.
He is very comfortable receiving it with his back to goal in central areas and moving the ball to draw the player or scan in time to play around the corner.
Martinelli’s goal
88′ MLS All-Stars 0-4 Arsenal
Composed play from Balogun in his own half to feed Odegaard, who sees Martinelli in acres of space on the left flank.
Perfectly weighted ball and the Brazilian passes it calmly into the far corner.
GOAL! Arsenal make four!
84′ MLS All-Stars 0-4 Arsenal
Martinelli makes it four for Arsenal with a sweet curling finish around the keeper after a breakaway.
The second American international arrives at Arsenal
80′ MLS All-Stars 0-3 Arsenal
Trusty, who has two USMNT caps to his name, comes in for White.
He joins Balogun as an American international in the Arsenal camp.
Martinelli’s opportunity
78′ MLS All-Stars 0-3 Arsenal
Timber takes a strong touch near the MLS box but still manages to find Odegaard. The Arsenal captain places Marquinhos on the right, who fires the ball across the face of goal.
It reaches Martinelli on the opposite side, who has space to shoot but shoots his effort over the goal.
Balogun shows for American fans
75′ MLS All-Stars 0-3 Arsenal
American international Balogun shows great strength to face a physical challenge from a defender and maintain possession of the ball in MLS territory.
He finds Rice, but the attack eventually peters out and Arsenal recycle the ball.
Source: How Arsenal beat MLS All-Stars 5-0 as Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made debuts
