Orlando City will take a break from MLS competition to welcome Arsenal to the Exploria Stadium for a friendly battle in the FC Series on Wednesday evening with kickoff at 2:30 am.
The spring and summer months have brought a string of inconsistent results for Orlando in the Eastern Conference. After the team was held to a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United at the weekend, a 10th minute opener from Mauricio Pereyra was cancelled out by Juan Sanchez Purata in an unsatisfactory result for Orlando, whose playoff bid remains well and truly alive after 21 games of the 2022 campaign.
Arsenal fans were puzzled by the absence of several youngsters from Mikel Arteta’s pre-season tour squad when it was announced, but those present in Baltimore saw the Gunners’ experienced crop ease past Everton 2-0 for a third successive pre-season win.
Gabriel Jesus scored a brace on his debut, including an impressive goal against Nuremberg on his debut, and he fired home the opener against Everton in his first start following a sublime touch before turning provider for Bukayo Saka to fire home a second before the half-time whistle blew.
Three goals in two games has already seen Jesus endear himself to the Arsenal faithful – not to mention his tribute to Eddie Nketiah’s phone-call celebration – and Arteta’s side are now three for three in a productive pre-season period.
Orlando City vs Arsenal Head to Head
Both sides are yet to face against each other and this marks their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Atlanta United 1-1 Orlando City
- Colorado Rapids 1-1 Orlando
- Orlando 1-0 Inter Miami
- Orlando City 3-5 DC United
Away
- Arsenal 2-0 Everton
- FC Nunberg 3-5 Arsenal
- Arsenal 5-1 Everton
- Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal
Orlando City Team News
Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar is not yet ready to return to action after surgery on a broken jaw, but Adam Grinwis and Joao Moutinho have recovered from knee injuries and will be available on the bench.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been left unable to call on five players for Wednesday’s (March 20) Premier League match against Everton. None of the quintet is believed to be nursing anything serious, but it is difficult to imagine Arteta risking any of them for Wednesday, especially with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney’s track record in the fitness department.
Prediction and Odds
As the season draws nearer, it looks like Arteta will stick with his tried-and-true lineup. Getting one over a full-strength Arsenal side will be too much for Orlando.
- Arsenal Win
- Goals Over 1.5
- Jesus to Score
