For the first time in seven years, the MLS All-Star Game will feature an opponent from the English Premier League.
Arsenal will oppose the MLS All-Stars at D.C. United’s Audi Field on July 19, MLS and the club announced Tuesday. The All-Star Skills Challenge will also take place in Washington, D.C. on July 18, in addition to a concert, community service initiatives, and player appearances, as well as a fan fest hosted at The Wharf district along the Anacostia River.
“It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said in a club interview. “Our U.S. tour last summer was very good preparation for the season, and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
It will mark Arsenal’s first involvement in the MLS All-Star Game since 2016, which the Gunners won 2-1 thanks to Chuba Akpom’s late winning goal. English Premier League clubs have served as opponents five times since 2010, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham all making the trip to the United States.
Arsenal currently leads the EPL table over defending champions Manchester City, but recently were eliminated in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 last week. Current U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner is currently part of the Gunners roster, while former MLS homegrown Auston Trusty is under contract with Arsenal (on loan at Birmingham City).
The 2022 MLS All-Stars defeated the Liga MX All-Star Team 2-1 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Meh. I’d strongly prefer we got back to Liga MX versus MLS. This is our side of the pond; we’re trying to build our own soccer scene over here, and those Liga MX/MLS All-Star challenges were better for us because it fosters that. Reverting back to playing big-name Euro teams in preseason form looking to build their brand here feels like a step back.