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Arsenal announced as opponent for 2016 MLS All-Star Game

Arsenal, third in the EPL, are first time participants in the league's annual event

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that Arsenal Football Club, currently third place in the English Premier League behind Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, will face off against the MLS All-Stars in the league's annual event.

In a video put out by MLS on Thursday ahead of their formal announcement, Arsenal was announced as the opponent for the first time, with the game set to take place at the home of the San Jose Earthquakes, Avaya Stadium on July 28.

The game against Arsenal will be the 12 consecutive year that MLS has played against a foreign club, and the 13th such game overall. In the 2015 edition, which did not feature any D.C. United players, the MLS All-Stars defeated Tottenham 2-1, with goals from Kaká and David Villa.

Over the previous 12 games, the MLS All-Stars have won eight and lost four, defeating Chivas de Guadalajara, Fulham, Chelsea twice, Celtic FC, West Ham United, Bayern Munich, along with Tottenham last year. The All-Stars' four losses came in a five year stretch, dropping games to Everton, Manchester United twice, and AS Roma.

In addition to playing against the MLS All-Stars, Arsenal will also play against CD Guadalajara, a game which will take place on July 31st at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

What are your takes on Arsenal as the opponent for MLS? Excited to see another EPL team face off against the league's best? Do you prefer the guest team game, or would you like to see the format go back to a league inclusive game?