Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars: What time does it start, what channel is it on, team news, where can I watch it?

Everything you need to know about Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars in San Jose

Jack Wilshere trains alongside Theo Walcott during Arsenal's tour of the United States (Getty)

Arsenal begin their tour of North America when they take on the Major League All-Stars on Thursday night in San Jose as they continue their preparations for the new Premier League season.

With a defensive crisis on their hands, there is plenty for Arsenal to be concerned about, and that’s without taking a look at the players who will line up against them – the best of the MLS containing some of the players that have tormented the Gunners in the past.

While the match is remains just a pre-season friendly, it offers Arsene Wenger another look at where his squad is and who is ready to challenge for a first-team place. With Per Mertesacker ruled out with injury for the next five months after undergoing knee surgery following the 1-1 draw with Lens on Friday, the Arsenal defence is in line for a major shake-up.

Laurent Koscielny remains on holiday following Euro 2016, meaning that Wenger cannot call on either of his first-choice centre-backs. To make matters worse, Gabriel Paulista has not travelled to the United States due to a bout of tonsillitis, meaning that 21-year-old Calum Chambers and 20-year-old new signing Rob Holding could be deployed together for the first time.

Elsewhere, Granit Xhaka could be in line for his club debut after travelling with the squad along with Holding, but a number of key names remain absent after being given an extended break following the summer’s international commitments.

What time does it start?

The match kicks-off at 01:01 BST on Friday morning [17:01 PT on Thursday] at the Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 and will also be shown in a full replay for fans inside the United Kingdom and Ireland on Arsenal.com.

Arsenal squad

Goalkeepers: Cech, Ospina, Martinez.

Defenders: Debuchy, Monreal, Holding, Bellerin, Chambers, Gibbs.

Midfielders: Coquelin, Bielik, Elneny, Wilshere, Iwobi, Xhaka, Cazorla, Zelalem, Reine-Adelaide, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Forwards: Walcott, Willock, Campbell, Akpom.

Who’s missing for Arsenal?

Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Özil are all missing from the tour party after reaching the latter stages of Euro 2016, with the club giving them an extended break to recover. Alexis Sanchez is also a notable absentee, having suffered an ankle injury in the Copa America final that he is yet to fully recover from.

Mertesacker misses out, as stated previously, with a long-term knee injury, while Gabriel Paulista has remained at home to recover from illness.

MLS All-Star squad

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Defenders: Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), Liam Ridgewell (Portland Timbers), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Kaká (Orlando City), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Cyle Larin (Orlando City), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact), David Villa (New York City FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Didier Drogba will lead the MLS All-Stars attack against Arsenal (Getty)

Arsenal’s pre-season programme

Arsenal 1-1 Lens, Friday 22 August

vs MLS All-Stars, Thursday 28 April, 01:00 BST, Avaya Stadium, San Jose

vs Chivas, Sunday 31 July, 17:00 BST, StubHub Center, California

vs Viking VK, Friday 5 August, 19:30 BST, Stavanger [Norway]

vs Manchester City, Sunday 7 August, 18:00 BST [Stockholm]