Arsenal have announced plans for a pre-season friendly against MLS All-Stars in USA in July 2023.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners who currently sit top of the Premier League, will travel to USA for pre-season in July, and have announced a pre-season friendly against MLS All-Stars Team led by DC United manager – Wayne Rooney on Wednesday 19 July.
Speaking about the decision to play MLS All-Stars in pre-season, Sporting Director – Edu said: “Our match against MLS All-Stars in July is a great opportunity for Mikel and the squad to prepare ahead of the new season, facing a strong opposition.”
Edu also confirmed that the club will announce further pre-season friendly fixtures in due course.
Arteta added: “It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July. Our US 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.”
The pre-season fixture will be played at Audi Field in Washington D.C with Rooney set to once again face Arsenal and Arteta, having previously done so on several occasions as a player for Manchester United and Everton.
On the opportunity to manage against Arteta’s Gunners as a manager, Rooney commented: “The opportunity to lead the best our league has to offer against a top Premier League club like Arsenal will be a highlight for me personally and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fanbase here in D.C.”
10 Arsenal players will also face 10 MLS All-Stars players in a MLS Skills Challenge on the previous evening – 18 July, also held at Audi Field.
MLS Deputy Commissioner and President, Gary Stevenson added that America’s top-tier “is pleased” to take on Arsenal in both a friendly match and MLS Skills Challenge.
Tickets for the friendly match will be made available on Tuesday 28 March.
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