LIVE: Akpom's late tap-in lifts Arsenal to victory over MLS ALL-Stars

Stay with theScore for live updates of the 2016 MLS All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.

10:05 p.m. ET: After the win, Arsenal players unfurled a massive banner to thank their American hosts:

9:55 p.m. ET: FULL-TIME! Arsenal ends Europe's drought at the MLS All-Star game by coming away from Thursday's encounter with a 2-1 triumph.

9:50 p.m. ET: GOAL! Chuba Akpom is trying to make sure everyone gets home on time after his late goal gave Arsenal a 2-1 lead with under five minutes to play. As Arsenal surged into the box, a sharp cross found the young forward and set him up to easily slot home the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute.

9:45 p.m. ET: To the surprise of almost everyone inside the stadium, serial goalscorer Chris Wondolowski had a brilliant chance to break the deadlock but launched his effort into row Z.

9:40 p.m. ET: A collective groan from Toronto shakes the Avaya Stadium as Giovinco is removed after just 20 minutes. But, to the delight of a nation, the Italian is replaced by Canadian forward Cyle Larin.

9:36 p.m. ET: The hometown hero finally makes an appearance as San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski enters the match for Ignacio Piatti.

9:31 p.m. ET: The water break appears to have boosted Xhaka's confidence as the Swiss international unleashed a rather ambitious effort from just outside the centre circle, which, unsurprisingly, did not find the back of the net.

9:29 p.m. ET: Water break! One can only hope a little H20 will bring this match back to life.

9:22 p.m. ET: The match has hit somewhat of a lull as errant passes and hesitant play have disrupted the flow of the match. Kaka's misplay in the first half pretty much sums up the action in the second frame:

9:16 p.m. ET: Kellyn Acosta's last effort of the match sails well over the Arsenal goal seconds before he was replaced by Brandon Vincent.

9:10 p.m. ET: Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco almost made his presence known just minutes after the break when he forced Cech to make a nice diving save off a shot from the top of the box.

9:05 p.m. ET: While the MLS All-Stars have made eight (!) changes, Granit Xhaka will make his Arsenal debut after replacing Coquelin.

8:50 p.m. ET: HALFTIME! The two sides receive a well-deserved break after 45 minutes of entertaining football. Can Arsenal overcome the San Jose heat and mount a win, or will the plethora of All-Star options push MLS over the top?

8:49 p.m. ET: GOAL! Drogba continues to terrorize Arsenal as the Montreal Impact striker brought the MLS All-Stars level seconds before halftime. After a wild scramble in the box, the Ivorian finally managed to score on his third effort, and beat his former Chelsea teammate Petr Cech, to bring the game level at 1-1 just before breaking for halftime.

Related - Watch: Drogba scores against Arsenal ... just like old times!

8:40 p.m. ET: There was an injury scare minutes before halftime after Francis Coquelin went down, clutching his left leg. Luckily, the defensive midfielder remained in the game after receiving treatment.

8:35 p.m. ET: Water break! It's time for both sides to hydrate themselves with temperatures in San Jose hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

8:30 p.m. ET: After a frantic few moments - where the MLS All-Stars surged into the Arsenal box but ultimately failed to find an equaliser - the match appeared to settle down until a screamer from Mohamed Elneny was beautifully turned away by Blake.

8:18 p.m. ET: Arsenal looked well on its way to doubling the lead until Theo Walcott squandered a two-on-one chance by firing a weak left-footed shot straight at Blake.

8:13 p.m. ET: GOAL! After Laurent Ciman brought Campbell down in the box, the Costa Rican promptly stepped up to convert the chance and open the scoring.

8:10 p.m. ET: Kyle Beckerman upended Joel Campbell to force a free-kick, but Theo Walcott's effort from just over 20 yards was easily collected by Andre Blake.

Giovani Dos Santos responded minutes later with a close-range strike that Petr Cech did well to turn away.

8:05 p.m. ET: Arsenal gets the first real chance to open the scoring when Pirlo's careless back-heel flip resulted in a turnover. Luckily for the Italian maestro, Arsenal's effort went wide of goal.

8 p.m. ET: Kick-off! Arsenal gets things started.

7:58 p.m. ET: Unfortunately for Toronto FC supporters, Giovinco, last season's MLS MVP, will start the match on the bench.

7:55 p.m. ET: The players have made their way out to the pitch just in time for some pyrotechnics.

7:50 p.m. ET: We're 10 minutes away from kick-off! Can the MLS All-Stars make it three wins in a row against European opponents? Tottenham fell 2-1 last year after Bayern Munich lost by the same margin in 2014. It's Arsenal's turn to try and snap the streak.

7:40 p.m. ET: Didier Drogba will be eager to get the match underway and see if he can continue the same dominance against his former Premier League foes as he did during an illustrious career with Chelsea.

7:30 p.m ET: The teams have taken the pitch for warm-ups, with kick-off just moments away!

7:25 p.m. ET: New signing Rob Holding will make his Arsenal debut, while Drogba, Kaka, Villa highlight the MLS All-Star starters.

7:15 p.m. ET: Before kick-off, there was a reunion between a trio of Spaniards who posed for a quick photo in the halls of the Avaya Stadium. Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla and defender Nacho Monreal embraced former national team member, and New York City FC forward, David Villa before facing off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

7 p.m. ET: The teams have arrived at the Avaya Stadium for the 21st edition of the MLS All-Star Game. Manager Arsene Wenger has brought a strong Arsenal team with him across the pond as the Gunners get set to square off against MLS All-Stars such as Didier Drogba, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, and Giovinco.