In a friendly match in July, Arsenal will take on the MLS All-Stars, who will be coached by Wayne Rooney.
A team made up of players from all over the league assembles for the annual MLS All-Star Game to play a rival.
The MLS All-Stars have faced a Liga MX All-Stars team for the past two years, with the American top division’s team winning both times.
The MLS All-Stars will, however, play a European club once more in the 2023 edition when Arsenal makes a second appearance in the exhibition match.
The Gunners beat an All-Stars side that included Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Didier Drogba and David Villa 2-1 in San Jose in 2016.
This year’s match will be held at Audi Field in Washington, D.C, with England’s joint-record goalscorer Rooney – who coaches D.C. United in MLS – set to take charge of the All-Stars.
“I’ve had a front-row seat to watch the growth and development of Major League Soccer, first as a player and now as a manager,” said Rooney in a statement.
“The opportunity to lead the best our league has to offer against a top Premier League club like Arsenal will be a highlight for me personally and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fanbase here in D.C.”
Matt Turner's preparing the Gunners for a stateside trip to remember.@Arsenal will face the best of MLS in Washington, DC, for the 2023 #MLSAllStar Game presented by @Target! pic.twitter.com/hYuCW0eb0y
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 21, 2023
Mikel Arteta said: “It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July.
“Our US tour [in 2022] was very good preparation for the season, and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023-24 season.”
On July 18, 10 Arsenal players will also go up against 10 MLS players in the Skills Challenge, which will again be held at Audi Field.
Arsenal are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with 10 games remaining, while Rooney’s D.C. United are 11th in the Eastern Conference in MLS with four points from as many games this season.