Arsenal set for summer trip stateside

Arsenal will travel to the United States as part of their pre-season preparations in July, with two fixtures scheduled for Arsene Wenger's men.

The Gunners will take on the best of Major League Soccer in the 2016 MLS All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole all possible inclusions for the All-Stars.

The All-Star Game will take place on July 28, with a second fixture coming up against Chivas in Carson three days later and Wenger is looking forward to taking his players across the Atlantic.

"Pre-season is a critically important time for us and we are delighted to be coming to San Jose and Los Angeles to participate in the 2016 MLS All-Star Game and to play Chivas," he said.

"We have tremendous support across America and enjoyed our visit to New York in the summer of 2014 when we played the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. We are all looking forward to this summer's trip as we prepare for our 2016-2017 season."

The Avaya Stadium opened last year and is the home of MLS side San Jose Earthquakes, with the league's commissioner delighted that the Gunners will be the opponents for the show-piece All-Stars clash.

"We are pleased to welcome Arsenal, one of the most successful clubs in the world, to compete against the best of MLS," he said.

"Our AT&T MLS All-Star Week has become a celebration for the North American soccer community, highlighted by two teams showcasing many of the world's top players. We look forward to a world-class event on July 28 at our newest state-of-the-art venue, Avaya Stadium."