Arsenal delivered an emphatic 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars in a friendly match held in Washington.
The star of the show was none other than the young German midfielder, Kai Havertz, who silenced his critics and redeemed himself with a spectacular goal after facing social media ridicule for a lacklustre performance in the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge just a day before.
The match kicked off with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard setting the tone for Arsenal’s dominance, both finding the back of the net with powerful long-range strikes.
The MLS All-Stars struggled to contain Arsenal’s fluid attacking play, resulting in a first half peppered with five yellow cards for the home team.
Havertz, who recently joined Mikel Arteta’s side, was eager to make his mark after the Skills Challenge setback.
As the game progressed, Arsenal’s control over the match became increasingly evident. Havertz’s relentless work rate and creativity on the field added a new dimension to the team’s play, while his understanding with fellow attackers showcased promising signs of a blossoming partnership.
The Music is back. The Arsenal are back🤤🔴. @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/ASw1elA0N4
— TheGunnersWay (@Joshua_Obodai14) July 20, 2023
Despite the MLS All-Stars’ valiant efforts, Arsenal’s attacking onslaught continued. With the game already out of their grasp, the home side struggled to maintain their defensive shape and prevent further goals.
As the match entered its final moments, Havertz found himself in a perfect position at the back post to capitalize on a precise cross from Marquinhos.
Showing great composure and technique, he struck the ball sweetly into the net, recording his first-ever goal in an Arsenal shirt.
Manager Mikel Arteta was undoubtedly delighted with his team’s performance and the impact of the new signings.
In addition to Havertz’s impressive display, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, both substitutes, combined to create the fourth goal, further highlighting the depth and potential of the Arsenal squad.
