Orlando City takes a quick break from MLS play this week for a major international friendly, hosting English powerhouse Arsenal FC as part of the FC Series on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed nationally on ESPN+.
Here’s everything you need to know about Arsenal:
Key Transactions
Key Additions - CF Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), AM Fábio Vieira (Porto), GK Matt Turner (New England Revolution), RW Marquinhos (São Paulo)
Key Departures - CF Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), CM Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), CB Auston Trusty (Birmingham City, loan)
Take a look at Arsenal’s full roster here.
News
Arsenal improved mightily last season from 2020/21, finishing with eight more points and moving up three places in the table. They did not quite achieve their goal, though, finishing two points shy of archrivals Tottenham Hotspur for the final English slot in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners will look to return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2016 on the back of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who scored 95 goals in 233 games for Manchester City and comes on a reported $54 million transfer.
Team Form
The Gunners are off to a strong start this preseason, winning their first three friendlies ahead of games with Orlando and Chelsea in the City Beautiful this week. Jesus has three goals through his first two Arsenal appearances, including a goal on Saturday in Baltimore against Everton in what would be a 2-0 AFC win. Young English starlet Bukayo Saka also found the back of the net in that match.
Head-to-Head
The Arsenal game will be Orlando City’s first against any of the “Big Six” Premier League teams, but the Lions are no stranger to friendlies against English competition. City defeated Newcastle United 1-0 all the way back in 2011 at Camping World Stadium, and they also topped West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in a summer friendly in 2015. Orlando has also faced Stoke City twice, losing both times in 2012 and 2016.
Rasmussen University Fact
While no current Orlando player has ever featured for Arsenal, there is a Lion with an Arsenal connection. Center forward Jack Lynn’s youth club, St. Louis Scott Gallagher, was partnered with the English side. Lynn and his teammates were able to visit the Emirates Stadium in London and meet the team.
