Arsenal equal record with thumping 5-0 MLS All-Star win

Arsenal kicked off their USA tour in style with a record equalling 5-0 win against the MLS All-Stars in Washington.

Mikel Arteta’s side put on a show at a sold out Audi Field, with five different goalscorers on target during an emphatic success which saw Arsenal match the most goals ever scored by an international side in a game against the All-Stars.

Summer signing Kai Havertz put on a seal on an impressive evening when he thumped in his first goal for the goal, adding to earlier strikes from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli.

It was the perfect end to a great night for Arsenal, with fellow new arrivals Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber also making their first appearances for the club.

“It was a great occasion and a great atmosphere,” Arteta said afterwards. “It was great to see so many Arsenal supporters filling the stadium. 

“We had some great moments in the game and some moments, especially in the first-half that weren’t that great, but we’re still very early in pre-season and it was great to see some debuts with Jurrien, Auston [Trusty] and Declan obviously. I was really pleased in the end with the result.

“We were exceptional in both boxes. Every time we were in the final third in good positions, we put the ball in the back of the net, and we have to defend moments in those transitions when we give the ball away. I think we defended really well, as well.”

Jesus opened the scoring early on for Arsenal with an outrageous chip from just outside the box which floated perfectly into the far corner and went in off the post.

Bukayo Saka, who was named the game’s MVP, then set up Trossard who crashed home a brilliant second to double Arsenal’s advantage.

A Jorginho penalty extended the lead further just after half-time before a brilliant Martin Odegaard pace sent Martinelli away and the Brazilian calmly slotted home a fourth.

Havertz then put the seal on an excellent night for Arsenal when he brought down Marquinhos’ cross and lashed a powerful effort home to make it 5-0.

“I think it was a mixed performance,” Odegaard said at full-time. “We had some good periods and some not so good periods. 

“It was a bit messy at times, but five good goals and a win so it was a good one.”

Arsenal: Ramsdale (Hein 46), White (Trusty 80), Saliba (Timber 65), Gabriel (Tomiyasu 65), Kiwior (Tierney 65), Jorginho (Rice 65), Trossard (Martinelli 56), Vieira (Marquinhos 65), Saka (Havertz 46), Nketiah (Odegaard 46), Jesus (Balogun 65).

Subs not used: Runarsson, Holding, Cozier-Duberry.