Chuba Akpom scored in the 87th minute to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory over the MLS All-Stars on Thursday night at Avaya Stadium.
Akpom, a second-half substitute, capitalised on the work of midfielder Chris Willock and Nacho Monreal to score the winning goal.
Willock worked himself into space on the left-hand side of the area and fed the ball to Monreal, who crossed to Akpom. The 20-year-old striker got behind the Chicago Fire defender Brandon Vincent and slotted in from close range. Akpom was later named man of the match.
Earlier, Joel Campbell gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with a penalty before familiar foe for Arsenal, the former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, now playing for the Montreal Impact, levelled the score in first-half stoppage time.
Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka made his debut for the Gunners when he entered the match in the 46th minute but it was Akpom who was to have the final say.
The Nigeriam forward, 20, tapped home a Nacho Monreal cross from close range to break the 1-1 deadlock and give the Gunners the win. The goal was just Akpom’s fourth for Arsenal’s senior team, with his previous three strikes coming in the North London club’s preseason tour of Asia last summer.
Akpom was also named the MVP of the 2016 AT&T All-Star Game after netting the winner.
Akpom was also named the MVP of the 2016 AT&T All-Star Game after netting the winner.
Akpom has been with Arsenal since he was just six, when he joined the club’s academy. He’s spent the vast majority of his pro career out on loan to lower division sides, only making eight career appearances in competitive action with Arsenal’s first team.
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