Didier Drogba continued his phenomenal scoring record against Arsenal, during the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.
Substitute Chuba Akpom netted a late match-winner as Arsenal saw off the MLS All-Stars 2-1 in San Jose on Thursday.
Akpom came off the bench past the hour-mark and he proved to be the difference, scoring from close range with three minutes remaining after big- money recruit Granit Xhaka made his debut for the Premier League giants at Avaya Stadium.
Scores were level at half-time following Didier Drogba’s equaliser at the third time of asking for Kaka and Co., cancelling out Joel Campbell’s 11th- minute penalty.
The result ended the All-Stars’ run of consecutive wins against European opposition, having upstaged Tottenham last year and Bayern Munich in 2014.
The Gunners capitalised on their booming United States fanbase for the second time in three years this week, travelling to the West coast.
With a friendly against Mexican giants Chivas de Guadalajara still to come, Arsene Wenger’s men took on MLS’ All-Star team on Thursday evening.
Arsenal took the lead through an early Joel Campbell penalty, but in the final minute of the first half, Drogba netted an equaliser.
The Chelsea icon struck past former Blues teammate Petr Cech, and was visibly delighted to have continued his spectacular run of form against Arsenal, which stretches back to 2005.
In the San Jose friendly, Sacha Kljestan intercepted a loose ball, before slipping in Giovani dos Santos. The winger found Drogba in the 18-yard box, but his first effort was saved by Cech.
The Ivorian superstar was gifted the rebound, which he then struck against Rob Holding, before finally slotting home at the third attempt.
It was his 16th goal in as many games against Wenger’s team, with the 38- year-old having tormented several generations of Arsenal defenders.
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