July 20, (THEWILL) – In an impressive display of skill and precision, Kai Havertz proved his mettle by scoring his first goal in an Arsenal shirt in their dominant 5-0 victory against the MLS All-Stars in Washington on Thursday.
The match was a showcase of Arsenal’s attacking prowess, with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard setting the tone with remarkable long-range strikes in the first half. Despite receiving five yellow cards, the MLS All-Stars struggled to contain Arsenal’s relentless offensive onslaught, which included a penalty converted by Jorginho and a late goal by Havertz to seal a convincing win.
The victory comes just a day after Havertz faced harsh criticism on social media for his performance in the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge. Unfazed by the online ridicule, the talented player redeemed himself in the match by rounding off the scoring with a well-executed goal. Arsenal’s dominance was evident from the outset, with Jesus’ relentless pressure leading to a handball that secured a penalty and an opportunity for Jorginho to coolly slot the ball home.
Manager Mikel Arteta also took the opportunity to introduce new signings Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to the Arsenal lineup in the second half. However, the positive debut was somewhat dampened by Trossard’s injury concern, leading to his substitution. Nevertheless, Gabriel Martinelli, his replacement, quickly made an impact by netting Arsenal’s fourth goal after an assist from Martin Odegaard. Havertz then added the fifth goal with a superb finish from Marquinhos’ cross, leaving the MLS All-Stars with little chance to recover.
Arsenal’s impressive performance sets the stage for their next pre-season game is in New Jersey against the new Manchester United side that Erik ten Hag is putting together. The Gunners’ attacking display and defensive resolve will undoubtedly be put to the test against their more formidable English Premier League rivals, as Arteta’s men aim to build on their recent success and continue their pre-season campaign.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
