Arsenal traveling to USA to play in 2023 MLS All-Star Game

As part of its preseason tour ahead of the 2023/24 season, Arsenal is making a trip to the United States and will feature in the 2023 MLS All-Star Game. This is a move back to the MLS vs Europe style of All-Star Game in years prior. Over the last two years, the MLS All Stars played against the Liga MX All Stars. The MLS outfit won both of those games.

However, before then, top clubs from Europe made the trip over to the United States during the European offseason. England sent the most teams over to the United States. That happened on nine occasions as seven different teams played against the MLS All Stars. Arsenal did it once in 2016 in San Jose. The Gunners won that game, 2-1.

The Athletic’s Pablo Maurer and Paul Tenorio report the game is July 19 at DC United’s Audi Field. They added that the coach of the host city’s MLS team coaches the All Stars. Therefore, that would leave DC United manager Wayne Rooney at the helm. Rooney, of course, played in England for 16 years at three clubs. Most of those were at Manchester United, where he picked up success against Arsenal a number of times.

This Arsenal side, though, is on a course for its first league title since the Invincibles of 2003/04. Mikel Arteta could lead Arsenal into the 2023 MLS All-Star Game as the defending Premier League champions.

Arsenal brings in changes to MLS All-Star game

Perhaps the transition back to a guest opponent for the 2023 MLS All-Star game is because of the revamped Leagues Cup. This involves every single team in MLS and Liga MX. Therefore, having an All-Star game between the two leagues would be somewhat redundant.

For Arsenal, a trip to the United States is nothing new. Just last year, Arsenal played in three games in the United States as part of its summer tour. The Gunners collected three wins against Everton, Chelsea and Orlando City. With a trip to Washington, D.C., on the schedule for 2023, it is worth recounting that this is not Arsenal’s first trip to the capital. In 2019, Arsenal lost to Real Madrid at FedEx Field on penalties.

In addition to playing against MLS in Washington DC, reports are that Arsenal are set to play in Los Angeles this summer too.

Arsenal Football Club isn’t the only team heading to the United States this summer. Another Premier League club is coming. Last week, Manchester United released details of its 2023 summer tour.

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