ARSENAL thrashed MLS All-Stars 5-0 in their opening US tour fixture.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz was enough to see the Gunners run riot at the Audi Field.
Meanwhile, the North London outfit have placed a £50m price tag on the head of sought-after striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports.
And Arsenal are being linked with £40million-rated Mohammed Kudus.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
- By Henry Tomlinson
New boys celebrate win
- By Henry Tomlinson
Timber to be 'important player'
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Jurrien Timber's versatility will see him become an important player for Arsenal.
I think you’ve seen tonight that he’s a really versatile player, you can see him defend in those positions.
He gives you the capacity to invert, to occupy different spaces.
He’s so comfortable on the ball in that phase and he’s also got this aggression in the duels and that dynamism that I really like about him.
You saw from the first action; he went and won the ball straight away on that duel and he was ready to go.
He’s been like that in the last few days – he’s playing really well with the team, and I think he’s going to be a really important player for us.
Mikel ArtetaArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Arteta on new boys
Mikel Arteta has joined Martin Odegaard in praising the new signings and has claimed that it is up to him to work on building the chemistry between the players.
They are and we have to find that fluidity within the game, and those relationships.
That’s something that is difficult to predict as a coach what’s going to work, but sometimes whether it’s on the pitch or sitting at the table, and they find that chemistry between them.
Especially, in the first half, the way we started, we were a bit suffocated with the weather, and we started to give too many simple balls away, and we could not really control the game.
But it was true that we were exceptional in both boxes today; every time we were in the final third in good positions, we put the ball in the back of the net, and we have to defend moments in those transitions when we give the ball away.
I think we defended really well, as well.
Mikel ArtetaArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Signings settling in
Martin Odegaard has hailed the club's summer signings as it is a "joy to play with him".
He said: "Yeah brilliant, all of them.
"They are already a part of the team.
"Already a part of the family and you saw on the pitch today the quality they have so it’s a pleasure to have them here and a joy to play with them."
Credit: Getty - By Henry Tomlinson
Rooney hails Rice signing
Wayne Rooney hailed Arsenal's £105million capture of Declan RIce and believed that he will be a "huge player" for the club.
"I think could be the one who could… well, he has to be the leader now, really, I think of that Arsenal team.
"I saw Frank Lampard saying he felt Declan could be the Chelsea captain for the next 10 years if he went there.
"I think he can do that (for Arsenal) and he seems to have that character and I believe he will be a huge player for Arsenal."
Credit: Getty - By Henry Tomlinson
Odegaard targetting further improvements
The club captain is not resting on his laurels and is still hoping that the team can improve "many things" before the season starts.
We still have so many things to improve, we can get a lot better so it’s very early.
We are getting more and more fit, I think the rhythm will come, so it’s good so far.
Henry TomlinsonArsenal
- By Henry Tomlinson
Captain on pre-season win
Martin Odegaard thinks that despite Arsenal's easy 5-0 win over the MLS All-Stars the squad can still improve on the performance.
Yeah it was good. I think it was a mixed performance.
We had some good periods and some not so good periods.
It was a bit messy at time, but five good goals and a win so it was a good one.
It’s nice to see the reception we get here.
We feel the love from the guys here, we felt it last year, we had such a good time then, and the same this year.
I want to say thank you to all of them and I’m happy we gave them a decent performance.
Martin OdegaardArsenal
- By Etienne Fermie
Van Basten on Arsenal target
Dutch legend Marco van Basten thinks that Arsenal target Mohammed Kudus is "much better" than Manchester United star Antony.
He told Ziggo Sport Voetbal: "I find Mohammed Kudus a much better football player than Antony.
"Antony has his skills, but he is confused with the things he is trying to do! Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing.
"Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical. He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team.
"In fact, I like him much better than Antony. He’s more fun to watch play."
- By Etienne Fermie
'A beautiful club' – Timber
Arsenal new boy Jurrien Timber has done his best to make a good first impression on Gooners.
Speaking on the North Londoners' pre-season tour, he said: "To be honest, I had some options but Arsenal was the only one I chose.
"It is a beautiful club. Look at last year.
"Of course, the previous years were beautiful but last year you saw a major step. The team grows and I want to be a part of it."
- By Etienne Fermie
Kick-off imminent
Arsenal are set to kick-off against MLS All-Stars in just 30 minutes.
Are you staying up for the match, Gooners?
- By Etienne Fermie
Gunners after Brazilian star
Arsenal are trying to sign Gremio star Bitello, according to reports.
The Gunners have extensively scouted the midfielder and are eager to get a deal done.
According to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte, sporting director Edu has contacted Gremio in an attempt to "close the deal".
- By Etienne Fermie
Saliba on renewed title bid
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is determined to go one better than last season and to win the Premier League title.
He told the Mail: "We had a great season & we learnt a lot.
"We know that the Premier League is hard and is long, we can’t wait to start again, to try and win it.
"At the end, we remember always the winning team, not second [place]."
- By Etienne Fermie
More William Saliba
Arsenal defender William Saliba believes he can become the best centre-back in the world.
When asked by the Mail, the Frenchman said: "Of course I have the quality, but that means nothing.
"You have to work hard to go to this level.
"So I’m not close to this level but I will give everything to maybe one day become the best defender in the world."
Credit: Getty - By Etienne Fermie
William Saliba on Van Dijk
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is a huge fan of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
Speaking to the Mail, Saliba said of the Dutchman: "I still watch him! I really like his quality in one-against-one, his calmness, his composure & his long balls as well.
"He has everything and for me, he was a good defender to learn from.
"I think he was – for two or three years – the best defender in the world."
- By Etienne Fermie
Arteta on Arsenal's midfield
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is delighted with his midfield options.
Declan Rice arrived last week in a £105million move from West Ham, while Jorginho was signed from Chelsea in January.
On his strength in depth in the middle of the park, Arteta said: "Now we have three very good holding midfielders, with him [Rice], Thomas [Partey] and Jorgi [Jorginho].
"I have to fit them in because they are so good and I love playing with midfielders!
"We're thinking of a few ways to maximise their qualities and get the best out of them."
- By Etienne Fermie
Arteta on Folarin Balogun
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is eager to take a look at Folarin Balogun during pre-season.
Ahead of tonight's MLS All-Star game, the Spaniard said: "Obviously he's done incredibly well and now we have to think what is best to do.
"But we want to see him, we want to experience him in the next few games.
"He played the last game against Nurnberg and he will do in the next few games. Then we will make the best decision."
- By Etienne Fermie
Balogun speaks about future
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is relaxed about his future amid transfer speculation.
The USA international said: "I obviously went away and the point was to prove I could play first-team football. I feel I was able to do that.
"Me coming back is not really much of a situation where I think I need to try extra hard to prove something. I think it's a decision that's not really with me.
"Whatever happens, I'm cool with it."
Credit: Reuters - By Etienne Fermie
Rice a 'huge signing' – Rooney
Wayne Rooney believes that Declan Rice will prove be a shrewd piece of business for Arsenal.
Wazza, who will manage an MLS All-Star team against the Gunners tonight, said of the midfielder: "Declan Rice is a huge signing for Arsenal.
"He is a fantastic player, with a great mentality and is at the top of his game.
"He brings great character into the dressing room and could be captain of Arsenal already."
- By Etienne Fermie
Arteta on All-Star concept
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the All-Star Game concept.
Ahead of tonight's game, he said: "To play against this team is great and I love the idea.
"If it was here, I probably would not be happy to let my players go.
"But it is great for the most talented players in the league to gather together in the same team.
"If I was still playing, I would want to experience that, so in the future, why not over here?"
- By Etienne Fermie
Arteta previews All-Star Game
Mikel Arteta has spoken to the media ahead of Arsenal's participation in the MLS All-Star Game in Washington DC tonight.
The Spaniard said: "I hope that our rhythm will not be any different and that it will be better than theirs.
"We always want to play our way, no matter who we are against.
"It is early in pre-season and maybe the teams we play against are different. The heat will also play a part.
"But we have to get used to it and be able to win and play the way we want to under any circumstances. It is a great test for us."
- By Etienne Fermie
Nketiah on Chelsea rejection
Eddie Nketiah has been reunited with Declan Rice at Arsenal this summer after the pair were released by Chelsea aged 14.
Opening up about how the experience shaped him, Nketiah said: "You are used to doing something. You go to Chelsea every other day and you’re known as the boy who plays for Chelsea. It’s part of your identity.
"It's your dream to get scouted. You are part of the academy.
"Accepting that being gone is hard to take. I had to have a lot of maturity and I did have my down days.
"Luckily for me, I have a great family who have always supported me, and I am a very religious person. I believe in God and feel everything happens for a reason."
- By Etienne Fermie
United fans troll Arsenal star
Manchester United fans have trolled Kai Havertz after Donny van de Beek netted an impressive volley in pre-season.
The Dutch midfielder scored the only goal of the game as the Red Devils beat Ligue 1 outfit Lyon at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
And United fans were quick to poke fun at Arsenal's Havertz who went viral for a shocking attempt at a volley challenge during the club's pre-season tour of the US.
The German had 20 attempts to score a volley while unmarked in the box but failed to net a single one.
- By Etienne Fermie
Gunners skipper's title race pain
Martin Odegaard has admitted Arsenal players' pain at missing out on last season's Premier League title.
The Norwegian said: "It was difficult to be honest.
"We were very close and had the big dream and goal to win something.
"To be so close to doing it with this team is always going to hurt but you have to deal with it in a good way and move on and that’s what we’re going to do as a team. That is the only way."
- By Etienne Fermie
Gunners skipper's title race pain
Martin Odegaard has admitted Arsenal players' pain at missing out on last season's Premier League title.
The Norwegian said: "It was difficult to be honest.
"We were very close and had the big dream and goal to win something.
"To be so close to doing it with this team is always going to hurt but you have to deal with it in a good way and move on and that’s what we’re going to do as a team. That is the only way."
- By Etienne Fermie
Arsenal starlet joins squad
Emile Smith Rowe has jetted out to America to join up with the rest of his Arsenal team-mate.
The attacking midfielder played an integral role as England Under-21s won the Euro U-21 Championships this summer.
Just 10 days on from the final victory over Spain, Smith Rowe has flown Stateside to begin pre-season with Arsenal.
He is not expected to feature as the Gunners take part in the MLS All-Star game this evening.
Credit: Getty
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