Big money signing Declan Rice made his debut as Arsenal cruise to a 5-0 win over Wayne Rooney’s MLS All-Stars.
The 24-year-old midfielder completed his £105 million move from West Ham on Saturday and made his debut 3,660 miles away from the Emirates Stadium four days later.
Rice came on as a second-half substitute as Arsenal defeated the Rooney-managed MLS All-Stars 5-0 in sweltering conditions.
The Gunners took an early lead thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ audacious clipped effort, which Leandro Trossard added to with a lasered effort from the edge of the box.
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Jorginho’s penalty, a fine Gabriel Martinelli finish and Kai Havertz’s first goal in an Arsenal shirt completed the win on a night when new boys Jurrien Timber and Rice made their first appearance for the club.
There was a sizable Arsenal contingent at Audi Field, where director Josh Kroenke was applauded before Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney was jeered.
The Gunners fans in attendance only had to wait five minutes before they could celebrate a moment of magic.
The All-Stars appeared to have stopped a dangerous attack, only for Jesus to meet a loose ball from the edge of the box with an audacious clipped effort that curled in off the far post.
Rooney’s team responded tenaciously but were unable to break down the visitors, who extended their lead midway through the first half.
Bukayo Saka was sent behind down the right and crossed to Trossard, who cut away from his man and scored a thunderous right-footed drive.
Watch video below;
Declan Rice - Arsenal Debut 🔴⚪️
— Dobbo (@Dobbo0107) July 20, 2023
£105m well spent, the best is yet to come 🔥pic.twitter.com/378ep9d1T1
Our @BukayoSaka87, All-Star MVP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9YDHylxbD3
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 20, 2023
Odegaard’s superb pass set up our fourth goal, as he found the advancing Martinelli on the left, who took the ball into the area before dispatching his shot low into the corner.
Havertz got in on the act late on, with a thunderous drive, after bringing the ball down superbly at the far post.
What’s next
Arsenal move onto New York next, where we will face Manchester United at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
And then conclude their summer US tour with a friendly against Barcelona in Los Angeles next Wednesday.
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