What are MLS All-Stars?

The Major League Soccer All-Star Game is an annual soccer game held by Major League Soccer featuring selected players from the league against an international club or selected players from another league.

It is always quite the spectacle as the American-based players try to swiftly gel in an effort to record a prestigious victory for their side, while Mikel Arteta will be hoping we can also get a positive result as well as some vital match sharpness into our squad.

It is sure to be an occasion to remember, and here is everything you need to know before kick-off:

One of the highlights of the US soccer calendar, the All-Star Game has taken place annually in various guises since 1996. Initially starting as an inter-conference match where the best players in the league faced each other, it eventually morphed into a dream team taking on club sides from Europe and Mexico.

This will be the 10th time the All-Stars have faced Premier League opposition, and they have won five of the previous nine. However, this is the first time since 2016 it has happened when we were their opponents.

That 2016 game took place in San Jose, when Arsene Wenger’s team came up against the likes of Didier Drogba, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Clint Dempsey, and Sebastian Giovinco.

Wenger handed Rob Holding his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt, while Mohamed Elneny was also among our starters. We started well when Joel Campbell gave us the lead from the penalty spot early on, dusting himself down to confidently fire past Andre Blake.

The match looked set for penalties after Drogba fired the All-Stars level just before half-time, but Chuba Akpom – named the game’s MVP – would have the final say when he converted from Nacho Monreal’s inviting low cross.