MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s side showed no signs of a losing Premier League title race hangover and started their pre-season in the best possible way
MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s side showed no signs of a losing Premier League title race hangover and started their pre-season in the best possible way
Timber shown what he’s up against
Arteta opted to start his pre-season tour in the United States with the winning centre-back pairing of Saliba and Gabriel from last season. The former has signed a new deal at the club and, had it not been for an injury towards the end of last season – in which he missed 12 games – the Gunners could well have pushed City until the end.
Now Arsenal have made a statement of intent by signing Timber for £40million – and the Dutchman got to see what he’s up against first hand at the Audi Field. A centre-back by trade, White was called into action early on to stop an MLS All-Star team who came flying out of the blocks.
And on the quarter of an hour mark, Saliba covered a through ball with ease before turning an onrushing attacker inside out. And when substitute Jesus Ferreira did manage to get past the Frenchman just before half-time, Gabriel covered to clear the danger.
Timber was eventually introduced in the 64th minute and was made to play at right-back, with Ben White pushing into the centre of defence. Interesting.
Jesus, what a goal
Start to life at Arsenal was pretty sweet for Jesus. The Brazilian joined from Manchester City and produced eight goal contributions in eight Premier League games. But then a run of six games without finding the net was followed by 15 games (in all competitions) out with injury.
Despite his knee issue, you be can sure Jesus will have been disappointed to have finished fourth in Arsenal’s personal goal charts behind Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli. And after a summer of proper recovery Jesus showed exactly why he’s the right man to lead Arsenal’s frontline.
After Saka found room down the right, he cut the ball back to Jesus who deftly chipped the ball over Burki and into the far corner. Anyone who suggests his goal was a cross is talking codswallop. A superb finish.
New role for Trossard
Speaking of superb finishes, what about Trossard. It’s easy to understate the Belgian’s addition to the Gunners since he joined. An alternative to Mykhailo Mudryk – say about that what you will – Trossard has already more than paid back his £27m transfer fee.
And in a team with Gabriel Martinelli, Saka and even Nketiah, who played on the left, Trossard has to take every opportunity he gets. In a new, slightly deeper role, on the left of a midfield three, the 28-year-old was full of energy, tenacious and pressing at every instant.
The goal started with Trossard passing wide to White in his own half, whose loft ball once again set Saka free down the right. The England maverick cut back and his ball just about found Trossard. On the edge of the box, he took one touch to control the ball, another to get it out of his feet before blasting the ball into the back of the net.
Not content with his goal, four minutes later and he put the ball right on Jesus’ forehead. The striker really should have had his second. And on the stroke of half-time Trossard took a set piece that found Gabriel and, like Jesus, he was disappointed with his end product.
Trossard was replaced by Martinelli on minute 56 after appearing to hurt himself. The forward did manage to get to his feet and hobble off.
A worrying deja vu?
Both of Arsenal’s goals came from very similar circumstances. A ball down the right sets Saka loose, the forward cuts the ball back to the edge of the box, a great goal is scored.
At 21 Saka is already beginning to look the complete package. His balance is superb, his dribbling effortless and pace lethal. But to be overly critical, are Arsenal too reliant on their top goalscorer from last season?
Well, some sort of an answer to that question came quickly. Saka was replaced by Kai Havertz at the interval and Arsenal got themselves a penalty within a minute of the second half starting. Jorginho dispatched with his trademark run-up.
But there were signs of attacking struggle throughout the remainder of the second half. His loss was evident.
MLS All-Star test
Despite the obvious gulf in quality the MLS All-Stars team did really look the 11 individuals who had been thrown together. A Henry Mukhtar pirouette in the first half was a highlight but when Christian Benteke miscontrolled the ball which would have put him through on goal that pretty much summed up their night.
At the very least, they give Arsenal a physical test. Rooney’s side received five yellow cards in first half as the Gunners players picked up a few bruises.
Despite his side’s 2-0 lead at the time, during 30-minute water break Arteta was as enthusiastic as ever and barking his orders at the players over several improvement.
If there was any pressure on Rice’s shoulders then it didn’t look it. The England midfielder came on and immediately started barking orders to his teammates.
He gathered loose balls and, as Arteta so adequately described, operated like a lighthouse. When defending near his own corner flag he didn’t panic. He passed the ball, took it back, glided with ease past the player and got Arsenal out of danger.
And when fans begged him to shoot on the edge of the box he ignored their pleas. Pre-season friendly and 5-0 up or not, Rice showed his maturity.
