Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars LIVE: Date, kick-off time, team news and how to follow as Mikel Arteta prepares to face Wayne Rooney

Arsenal begin their July tour of the USA with an interesting clash against an MLS All-Star team this evening.

The Gunners are preparing to travel to the States for a series of special pre-season games as Mikel Arteta looks to get his side ready for another title challenge.

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The London giants lost out to Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title last season but will hope to use that experience to push again.

Arsenal have signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea, and ahead of this clash, the signings of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber have been announced.

New Inter Miami star Lionel Messi won't take part, but several other famous faces have been selected by their opponents and will be managed by Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars: Date and how to follow

This pre-season clash is set to take place on Wednesday, July 19.

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It is taking place at Audi Field in Washington DC and is scheduled to kick-off at 8:30pm.

This means it will start at 1:30am on Thursday, July 20 for UK fans.

The match will be broadcast on Apple TV. Supporters can sign up for a seven-day free trial or pay a monthly subscription of £6.99.

talkSPORT will have updates and marvelbet369.com will have all the best reaction from Arsenal's third pre-season fixture.

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To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

ou can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars: Team news

Rice and Timber are both likely to make their non-competitive debuts against the MLS All-Stars.

Arsenal had a few injury concerns towards the end of last season, with Gabriel Martinelli, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba all missing chunks of the run-in.

But all five have returned to training, and will play some part.

However, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe won't be involved as they haven't travelled with the initial group.

Reiss Nelson also misses out due to a minor toe injury.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of recognisable faces in the .

Former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is expected to lead the line, with ex-Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki the number one.

Plus, Argentina World Cup winner Thiago Almada has been included in the squad.

MLS All-Stars squad

Goalkeepers: Roman Burki (St. Louis City SC), Tyler Miller (D.C United), Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Tim Parker (St. Louis City SC), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Jon Gallagher (Austin FC), Alvaro Barreal (FC Cincinnati)

Midfielders: Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew), Riqi Puig (LA Galaxy), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Jose Martinez (Philadelphia Union, Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Mathieu Choiniere (CF Montreal), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Luciano Ascota (FC Cincinnati)

Forwards: Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Kei Kamara (Chicago Fire), Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Christian Benteke (D.C United)

Arsenal squad for USA tour 2023

Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Runarsson, Karl Hein

Defenders: William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Auston Trusty, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Amario Cozier-Duberry

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Folarin Balogun, Marquinhos

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MLS All-Stars vs Arsenal: What has been said?

Arsenal boss Arteta expects Rice to be an inspiration to his teammates.

Speaking about the England international, he said: “His leadership, his aura, obviously, the experience he already has in this league. He’s going to bring the team to a different dimension.

“He’s got the physical qualities that we’ve been missing for a while, that’s why we had to do what we had to do to get him because he’s really important for us.

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“A while ago we spoke about players that could complement each other, give us more flexibility, more depth and more quality, and take a winning hunger into the team with players who really want to push themselves to a different level.

“I see him like a lighthouse, he will light [up] the others and improve the others, and make the team better. The way he talks, the ambition he has and the passion for the game is exactly what we need.”