The MLS All-Stars took on Arsenal, and it didn’t go well

Arsenal is, it turns out, pretty good

It turns out Arsenal is pretty good.

The Gunners trounced the MLS All-Stars 5-0 before 20,621 at a muggy Audi Field in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all managed goals in a completely one-sided affair.

MLS’s high-pressing start was undone by a simple Arsenal ball in behind, with Gabriel Jesus mopping up a loose ball with a sublime curling lob after just five minutes.

The All-Stars couldn’t quite put their last moves going forward together, while at the other end, Arsenal seemed ready to deliver bangers for a Gunners-heavy crowd. Again, a loose ball popped out to the top of the box in the 23rd minute, and again the result was a golazo. This time, Trossard sent a rocket past Roman Bürki from 20 yards.

Arsenal would increase their lead almost immediately after the second half on a Jorginho penalty kick, and MLS nearly faced another only for referee Ted Unkel — after a VAR check — to stick with his original no-call.

MLS gamely tried to break Arsenal down to get on the board, but between roughly dozens of substitutions and the Gunners’ defensive organization, the All-Stars were struggling to create any sort of danger in the late going. Manager Wayne Rooney at least managed to get every MLS player into the game, and U.S. men’s national team fans in attendance got to see Folarin Balogun and Auston Trusty play for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, the Gunners were not exactly letting the match just play out. After Martin Ødegaard’s brilliant pass from deep in Arsenal’s end, Martinelli produced a tidy angled finish in the 84th minute to make it 4-0.

Havertz, one of Arsenal’s many substitutes as the game rolled on, capped off the scoring with a composed finish at the back post. Arsenal simply had no mercy.

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