MLS All Stars 0-5 Arsenal

Following yesterday’s skills challenge the MLS All Star team welcomed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in their new bright away kit. A game that would see The Gunner’s two new signings, Declan Rice and Jürrien Timber make their debuts.

Read Alexander David Walsh's Player Ratings as goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leanodro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabi Martinelli and Kai Havertz seal a comfortable victory in front of  a selllut crowd of 20,621 at Audi Field in Washington DC.

Have to say the support here at Audi Field for Arsenal is absolutely amazing. The vast majority of the stadium are cheering excitedly for the Gunners clad in all manner of kits old and new. The passion of American Gooners is wonderful to behold ????? pic.twitter.com/AG4Y4tiIJc

— Layth (@laythy29) July 20, 2023

Player ratings

Aaron Ramsdale:

Didn’t have much to do in the first half, but his passing out from the back looked good. 7

Benjamin White:Gave away some sloppy passes in the opening minutes of the game and was quite anonymous. Played a good ball to Saka in the buildup for the second goal, but just didn’t look on it tonight.  6

William Saliba

Reminded me of how good he was last season, impossible to beat 1 on 1 and very comfortable on the ball. Good to have him back in the team again, he will play a massive part next season. 8

Gabriel:

Didn’t have much defending to do, but looked secure at the back, also looked good in posession. 7

Jakub Kiwior:

Looked comfortable on the ball when inverting into midfield from his left back position but gave away two big chances in a row at around the 15-minute mark, taking way too much time on the ball. Solid defensively. Has more defensive qualities compared to Zinchenko, however he’s not quite as good in possession. 7

Jorginho:

Like Benjamin White he also gave away some sloppy passes in the opening 10 minutes and had to work his way into the game. Dictated the tempo well after he eventually got more into the game. Scored a penalty to make it 3-0, doing his usual runup, which we’ve seen numerous times for Chelsea and Italy. 7

Fabio Vieira:

Looked very comfortable on the ball and always actively seeking to be on it. Impressive in tight spaces and very good in his link-up play. Occupied the right sided 8 role, which Ødegaard usually operates in. Will be exciting to see if he can improve next season, after struggling in his first season at Arsenal. 7

Leandro Trossard:

Him and Nketiah linked up well on the left-hand side of the pitch. Trossard played the left 8 role of the midfield, the same role Xhaka played throughout last season. Scored the second goal of the game, a brilliant strike from outside of the box. Came off injured in the start of the second half, luckily it looked like a knock and nothing serious. 8

Bukayo Saka:

Helped set up the first goal for Gabriel Jesus and kept stretching the backline of the MLS team with his pace. Later he set up the second goal for Trossard, he looked sharp and ready for the new season. Unplayable today, you had to feel sorry for the MLS left back. Came off after the first half. 9

Eddie Nketiah:

Played as a left wing, so not his preferred position, didn’t see much of the ball. Saw slightly more of the ball towards the end of the first half, where he did well taking on the MLS right back. 6

Gabriel Jesus:The Brazilian striker was captain of the day and opened the scoring with a fantastic curled effort from outside the box. Missed a big chance in the 27th minute, a free header from Trossard’s brilliant cross. As always, he works his socks off even in a preseason friendly. 8

Substitutions:

Kai Havertz:

Came on for the start of the second half. Took over left 8 role, which Trossard played in the first half, pushing Trossard out on the wing. Got booked after 60 minutes, however it seemed like this referee was trying to book everyone. Scored Arsenal’s 5th goal from close range in the box after a cross from Marquinhos. He didn’t do well in the cross and volley challenge yesterday, but he made no mistake today! 8

Martin Ødegaard

Came on for the start of the second half, good seeing him back after missing the game in Nürnberg. Took over the game when he came on and assisted Martinelli’s 4-0 goal with an exquisite pass. 8

Karl Hein: 

Came on for the start of the second half. Struggled with his passing out from the back, like Ramsdale he didn’t have a lot to do in the Arsenal goal. 6

Gabriel Martinelli:

Came on for Leandro Trossard after 55 minutes and slotted straight in at the left wing. Was much more of a threat on the left side, compared to Eddie Nketiah in the first half. Scored the goal to make it 4-0 after a fantastic pass from Martin Ødegaard. The goal looked very similar to the one he scored against Brighton away on New Year’s Eve last season. 8

Declan Rice: The new record signing made his debut after an hour of play. Came on for Jorginho taking over the number 6 role, sitting right in front of the defence. Didn’t really get to show off his qualities tonight, as Arsenal dominated possession, but didn’t put a foot wrong. The fans gave him a warm welcome and cheered every time he touched the ball. Can’t wait to see more of him! 7

Jürrien Timber: Another new signing making his debut, coming on after an hour of play. Immediately showed just how fast he is, wow! Looked very impressive in his first appearance, it seemed like he was everywhere on the pitch. Sometimes he would invert into midfield and other times he would bomb down the right flank, offering Marquinhos the overlap. Very excited to see more from the Dutchman. 8

Takehiro Tomiyasu: Came on after an hour of play. Didn’t have much to do in defence but was dominant in the air and headed away a couple of crosses. 7

Folarin Balogun: Came on after an hour of play. The American international got a warm welcome by the fans, but never really got into the game. 6

Kieran Tierney: Came on after an hour of play. Offered something different to Kiwior with his pace down the left side. Tidy performance from Tierney. 7

Marquinhos: Came on after an hour of play. Assisted the 5th goal in the game with a beautiful cross to the back post. A good cameo from the Brazilian tonight! 8

Austin Trusty: Came on after 80 minutes, didn’t play enough to get a rating.