The difference in quality between the Premier League and MLS was laid bare Wednesday night as Arsenal dismantled the American league’s All-Stars.
The Gunners brushed off last season’s Premier League heartbreak to run riot in Washington DC against Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney’s side.
Arsenal’s attacking frontline showed why they would once again challenge Manchester City for the Premier League crown and even make their mark in the Champions League.
However, the same could not be said for the supposed best and brightest MLS had to offer as the Gunners’ opposition registered just one shot on target.
Here, Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN gives his ratings for Mikel Arteta’s side and JAKE NISSE rates their MLS opposition.
Arsenal dismantled the MLS All-Stars with a dominant 5-0 win on Wednesday night
ARSENAL
BUKAYO SAKA:
One had to sympathise with the opposing left back who, in the first half especially, had his legs in knots trying to nullify the pace and dribbling of Saka.
An injection of speed saw the forward break the backline to provide assists for both Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
GABRIEL JESUS:
The striker was a nuisance all night. He persistently attacked the back-post for aerial deliveries and took the right positions in the area.
But all that will be forgotten in favour of his stupendous chip which caught out goalkeeper Roman Burki from outside the box. He stopped the ball dead before gently looping it into the top corner. A truly stunning piece of execution. Burki was duly substituted soon after.
WILLIAM SALIBA:
He’s often compared to a Rolls Royce, and you can see why. Saliba appeared to coast at times, which can be done against inferior opposition if positioning is on point. And his was. The Frenchman always seemed to be in the right position at the right time, a trait only the better defenders have in their locker.
Ramsdale 6.5; White 6, Saliba 7.5 (Timber 64, 6), Gabriel 6.5 (Tomiyasu 65, 6), Kiwior 6.5 (Tierney 64, 6); Jorginho 6.5 (Rice 65, 6); Saka 9 (Havertz 46, 6), Vieira 6 (Marquinhos 65, 6), Trossard 7 (Martinelli 57, 6); Jesus 8 (Balogun 65, 6), Nketiah 7.5 (Odegaard 46, 6).
Bukayo Saka won the Player of the Match award after his two assists for Arsenal
MLS ALL-STARS
HANY MUKHTAR:
The Nashville midfielder ultimately lacked the final product but showed a bit of enterprise with some good movement n the ball in the first half.
JESUS FERREIRA:
The US national team striker came closest of any MLS attackers to giving the Arsenal backline problems, and set up the best chance of the match for the hosts – which Carles Gil skied over.
JOHN TOLKIN:
The Red Bulls left back had the benefit of playing against Arsenal’s subs but put in a few decent challenges and mostly snuffed out danger on his side of the field
Burki 5 (Miller 34 6) (Petrovic 69 5), Hollingshead 5.5 (Gallagher 46, 5.5) Glesnes 5 (Miazga 46, 5), Zimmerman 5 (Parker 46. 4.5), Barreal 4 (Tolkin 46, 6); Puig 5.5 (Gil 33, 5), Giakoumakis (69, 5), Martinez 4.5 (A. Morris 34, 5), (J. Morris 69, 5), Mukhtar 5.5 (Almada 33, 5) (Choinière 69, 5); Bouanga 5.5 (Espinoza 33, 5) (Herrera 68, 5), Benteke 4.5 (Ferreira 33, 6) (Kamara 69, 5), Acosta 5 (Zelarayan 46, 5).
Hany Mukhtar (right) lacked the final product but showed a bit of enterprise for the All-Stars
