Arsenal’s newly acquired midfielder Declan Rice made a significant impact during their 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars in Washington DC. Coming on in the second-half, Rice received a warm reception from the crowd at Audi Field, largely filled with Arsenal supporters in red.
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The match saw goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz, showcasing the attacking prowess of the London club. Despite facing a competitive MLS team, known for their defensive approach in All-Star events, Arsenal’s performance was dominant.
Rice’s appearance came shortly after he completed his high-profile transfer from West Ham to Arsenal for a reported British-record fee of 105 million pounds ($138 million). His presence on the field was met with cheers and excitement from the crowd, signalling their eagerness to see him in action for his new club.
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Another notable appearance during the match was that of United States national team forward Folarin Balogun, who also took the field as a substitute for Arsenal. The MLS All-Stars, who have previously defeated top European clubs like Chelsea and Bayern Munich in similar exhibition matches, found themselves on the receiving end of Arsenal’s attacking prowess. Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring with a delightful chip, followed by Trossard’s goal from outside the penalty area, which doubled Arsenal’s lead.
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The match saw a high level of intensity, with the MLS team receiving four yellow cards before halftime. Jorginho further extended Arsenal’s lead by converting a penalty after a handball by St. Louis defender Tim Parker in the penalty area. In the latter stages of the match, Martinelli and Havertz added to Arsenal’s tally, securing an massive five-goal win.
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As Arsenal prepares for their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on August 12, they are scheduled to play friendly matches against Manchester United on Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and against Barcelona on July 26 in Inglewood, California. These games will help them prepare for the upcoming season.
