Chuba Akpom scored an 86th-minute winner, as Arsenal beat the MLS All-Stars 2-1 in their pre-season friendly in California.

The England U-21 striker tapped home Nacho Monreal's cross to secure victory against a United States Major League Soccer representative team that included Champions League winners Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, David Villa and Didier Drogba in their starting XI.

Joel Campbell had given the Gunners the lead from the penalty spot after 11 minutes, the Costa Rican converting after winning the spot-kick himself by drawing a rash challenge from Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman.

Tucked away. Campbell sneaks one past Andre Blake to put @Arsenal in front. #MLSAllStar https://t.co/sOfN1SidJo

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2016

But a familiar foe levelled the scores in first-half injury-time, as former Chelsea striker Drogba, who netted 13 goals in 15 games against Arsenal in his two spells at Stamford Bridge, bundled home the equaliser as the Arsenal back four switched off.

This guy knows how to score against @Arsenal, huh? #MLSAllStar https://t.co/Jesm9Ryxm2

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2016

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made a number of substitutions in the second half, with Granit Xhaka, the £33m signing from Borussia Monchengladbach, making his first appearance for his new side.

And the Gunners' boss will have been impressed by his big-money signing, who linked well with youngsters Chris Willock, Alex Iwobi and Gedion Zelalem, completed 94.2% of his 58 attempted passes, and also forced All-Stars' goalkeeper David Bingham into a smart save with a 71st-minute piledriver.

Arsenal's pre-season continues with a match at LA Galaxy's home, the StubHub Arena, against Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara on Sunday, before the Gunners return to Europe to face Norway's Viking FK in Stavanger on Friday 5 August and Premier League rivals Manchester City two days later in Stockholm.

Here's a look at Chuba Akpom's finish that secured the victory for @Arsenal. #MLSAllStar #ArsenalUSA https://t.co/JsRMiQB94a

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2016

The North London side, who finished 10 points behind champions Leicester City last season, then start their 2016-17 Premier League campaign against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on 14 August.

  -

Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @JoySportsGH. Our hashtag is #JoySports