MLS All-Stars vs. Arsenal Preview
Where: Avaya Stadium – San Jose, California
When: Thursday, July 28, 7:30 PM ET
Line: MLS All-Stars vs. Arsenal – view all soccer lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Writer’s Pick: MLS All-Stars
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Offensive Edge – MLS All-Stars
With those four missing, the Gunners will have to rely on the likes of Joel Campbell, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to lead the attack, which isn’t exactly the most ideal scenario.
On the other side, the MLS All-Stars can call on European superstars like David Villa, who has scored a league-high 13 goals for NYCFC, as well as reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco (11 goals this season). Kaka will captain the side and will likely have Andrea Pirlo and Sacha Kljiestan (MLS’s leading assist man) with him in the team’s midfield. Veterans Didier Drogba and Clint Dempsey can also supply firepower off the bench.
Villa and Kaka led the MLS All-Stars to a 2-1 win over Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham last year. It was the MLS’s third win in the last four All-Star Games.
Defensive Edge – Arsenal
Even with the absence of their first-choice central defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, Arsenal should still have the defensive edge in this matchup. Calum Chambers should be a capable deputy in the center of that defense. Meanwhile, full-backs Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal/Kieran Gibbs will be miles better than their counterparts on the MLS’s squad.
U.S. men’s national team member Matt Besler and former Premier League player Liam Ridgewell are both unavailable for the MLS All-Stars, which has severely limited their options in the center of defense. The likes of Steve Birnbaum, Andrew Farrell, and Laurent Ciman are in line to get the start, which aren’t particularly impressive options.
Writer’s Prediction: The MLS All-Stars have too much firepower, and come away with a 3-1 win.
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