Arsene Wenger singled out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for special praise after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over MLS All-Stars in San Jose on Thursday evening.
The Gunners broke the deadlock in the tenth minute thanks to Joel Campbell after the Costa Rica international scored his spot-kick following a foul on the forward.
But Chelsea legend Didier Drogba came back to haunt the north London side after the Ivory Coast international scored his 16th goal in 16 games against the Gunners on the stroke of half-time.
However, the Gunners managed to secure a win on American soil with four minutes remaining after Chuba Akpom converted Nacho Monreal’s late cross.
While the Arsenal youngster received the Most Valuable Player award for his late winner, Wenger picked out Oxlade-Chamberlain as Arsenal’s most-impressive player in the first half.
“Individually I would say in the first half [Oxlade-]Chamberlain was very dangerous and exceptionally strong,” Wenger told his post-match media conference in San Jose.
Arsenal finished in second place in the Premier League table last season but trailed champions Leicester City by 10 points.
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The Gunners haven’t won the Premier League crown since 2004 when Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira inspired Wenger’s side to glory.
The north London side will start the new Premier League campaign with a clash against Liverpool at The Emirates on 14 August.