Jesus impresses again, Saliba returns as Arsenal beat Everton in Baltimore. Match recap, review and player ratings.
Gabriel Jesus celebrates opening the scoring in Baltimore
Arsenal have made it 3 wins out of 3 for pre-season with a win against fellow Premier League side Everton to open their US tour with a win. The damage was all done in three minutes where Arsenal scored two goals in the space of three minutes thanks to Jesus.
The Gunners started strong with both sides putting out close to first team sides for the first 45. The game mirrored the match at the Emirates last May in the early exchanges where we saw Arsenal in complete control of possession and Everton playing park the bus and trying to hit Arsenal on the counter. The gunners pressing and pressure was causing all sorts of problems for Everton who almost gave a goal away after a poor back pass from Mason Holgate due to the pressure he was under was intercepted by Gabriel Jesus who had his shot saved by Jordan Pickford who kept Everton in the game for the first half. A minute later Arsenal came close again as Granit Xhaka hit the post from corner but it was at the 32 minute mark when Arsenal's pressure prevailed.
A corner whipped in from Cedric went over the whole Everton defence including Jordan Pickford and it fell for Jesus at the back post who's exquisite first touch helped him fire into an empty net to open the score, that's 3 goals in 2 games for Gabriel Jesus and while yes it's only pre-season he's looked superb so far in the halves he's played for Arsenal so far. Jesus soon after showed he's not just a goal scorer but helps the team around him aswell. A great bit of hold up play saw him play a wonderful ball through to Bukayo Saka at the back post who taps it in for 2. Hopefully the start of a great duo.
Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a great start to pre-season
With so many changes the game lost its rhythm in the second half however Arsenal still were much the dominate team with Everton causing little to no threat and going in with some disgraceful tackles which very easily could of injured Jesus and Sambi Lokonga respectably. Overall a very comfortable game and performance for Arsenal as they prepare for that opening Premier League match against Crystal Palace on the 5th of August.
Next up on the US Tour Arsenal will be travelling down to Orlando to take on Orlando City on Wednesday and then fellow Premier League side Chelsea on the Sunday. Both matches are part of the Florida Cup and just before the start of the Premier League season they will play Sevilla at the Emirates for the Emirates Cup.
Arsenal play Chelsea on July 24th in their last game in the US.
Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a great start to pre-season
Arsenal play Chelsea on July 24th in their last game in the US.
Arsenal player ratings vs Everton:
Matt Turner: A much better performance compared to his debut in Germany, never had much to do but didn't do anything wrong either, looked alright on the ball and kept a clean sheet. 7/10
Cedric: Was a bit shaky at times I thought but did okay, made a good tackle after Saliba was caught ball watching and got an assist. 7/10
William Saliba: The long awaited return after 3 loan spells away, Saliba finally returned to the colours of red and white and he didn't disappoint. Was very composed and calm on the ball and showed he has real burst of pace in some of his recovery runs. He looked very good in 1v1 situations and Calvert Lewin was hardly in the game largely down to him and Gabriel. Very good return to the side hopefully more to come. 8/10
Gabriel: Did well as usual, played well on the left of the back 3 and as mentioned above did a great job of minimizing Everton attacking threats. 7/10
Nuno Tavares: Was fine, played for 45 and did his job well, he was caught ball watching at times but that's to be expected with pre-season. Still needs a loan this season I think with the likely arrival of Zinchenko. 6/10
Granit Xhaka: Couple sloppy passes on his return to the side but improved in the second half looked alright did his job as usual. 6/10
Thomas Partey: Played in that lone pivot and thought he looked very solid. We just look so much better with him in the side, couple nice passes and good tackles of course some sloppy passes but all to be expected in pre-season. 7/10
Martin Odegaard: Was very forward going and direct in the first ten minutes or so but was fairly anonymous after that on his return to the side. Captained the side aswell. 6/10
Bukayo Saka: Very good return to the side caused Everton's defence and their left back constant problems throughout the 45, got a goal for his efforts. 8/10
Gabriel Martinelli: Was moved to left wing back in the second half but first half was a constant threat throughout making many runs for the byline. Looks like a good front 3 with Saka, Martinelli and Jesus with Smith Rowe and Eddie for competition. 7/10
Gabriel Jesus: Once again the catalyst throughout, his pressing from the front considering it was a pre-season friendly was incredible and he was causing all sorts of issues for Everton trying to play out from the back, despite Mina and Godfrey clear height advantage he was not afraid for a physical battle throughout. He took his goal superbly and he adds so much more than just goals. Even though his assist is up for debate whenever he meant it or not his build up play and coming deep for the ball was excellent. Promising early signs for sure. 9/10 MOTM
Matt Turner: A much better performance compared to his debut in Germany, never had much to do but didn't do anything wrong either, looked alright on the ball and kept a clean sheet. 7/10
Cedric: Was a bit shaky at times I thought but did okay, made a good tackle after Saliba was caught ball watching and got an assist. 7/10
Gabriel: Did well as usual, played well on the left of the back 3 and as mentioned above did a great job of minimizing Everton attacking threats. 7/10
Nuno Tavares: Was fine, played for 45 and did his job well, he was caught ball watching at times but that's to be expected with pre-season. Still needs a loan this season I think with the likely arrival of Zinchenko. 6/10
Granit Xhaka: Couple sloppy passes on his return to the side but improved in the second half looked alright did his job as usual. 6/10
Thomas Partey: Played in that lone pivot and thought he looked very solid. We just look so much better with him in the side, couple nice passes and good tackles of course some sloppy passes but all to be expected in pre-season. 7/10
Martin Odegaard: Was very forward going and direct in the first ten minutes or so but was fairly anonymous after that on his return to the side. Captained the side aswell. 6/10
Gabriel Martinelli: Was moved to left wing back in the second half but first half was a constant threat throughout making many runs for the byline. Looks like a good front 3 with Saka, Martinelli and Jesus with Smith Rowe and Eddie for competition. 7/10
Gabriel Jesus: Once again the catalyst throughout, his pressing from the front considering it was a pre-season friendly was incredible and he was causing all sorts of issues for Everton trying to play out from the back, despite Mina and Godfrey clear height advantage he was not afraid for a physical battle throughout. He took his goal superbly and he adds so much more than just goals. Even though his assist is up for debate whenever he meant it or not his build up play and coming deep for the ball was excellent. Promising early signs for sure. 9/10 MOTM
SUBS:Hector Bellerin: Was a bit disappointing was playing a very attacking role almost like a right winger at times and rarely caused much threat. 5/10
Rob Holding: Solid in that heart of the back 3, nothing like Holdini in a back 3. A big leader on and off the pitch for the group clearly. 7/10
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Was alright, not terrible but not superb. Is he still gonna be midfielder or a defender come the end of the pre-season. 6/10
Mohamed Elneny: Very solid and efficient on and off the ball, we know what we get with Elneny similar to Holding a very useful unsung player to have around the club. 8/10
Eddie Nketiah: The physical training Eddie did over the summer has clearly helped him because he looks so much stronger on the ball now. His movement very good as usual. 7/10
Nicolas Pepe: Played as a striker, struggled to get into game. I want to see him back on the left at some point that's where he played his best football for the club between March 21-May 21, however I fear his time may be up. 6/10
Pablo Mari: Hardly tested, not much to judge him on. 6/10
Reuell Walters: Once again being played out of his natural position off full back looked very tidy in his 20 minute cameo. Very impressed with his calmness and composure for a 17 year old very impressive. If he stays at the club would love him to play in some of the Europa League group stage games. 7/10
Albert Sambi Lokonga: I understand Mikel's trying to train him to be the sort of Partey regen to play as lone 6 but right now Sambi best position his further forward, looks so much better when he's allowed get forward and has someone covering him. Did well in his cameo. 7/10
Reiss Nelson: Brought on late, didn't impact the game playing at left wing back, would love him to play a bit longer and in his actual position against Orlando. 5/10
See you in Florida!
SUBS:
Hector Bellerin: Was a bit disappointing was playing a very attacking role almost like a right winger at times and rarely caused much threat. 5/10
Rob Holding: Solid in that heart of the back 3, nothing like Holdini in a back 3. A big leader on and off the pitch for the group clearly. 7/10
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Was alright, not terrible but not superb. Is he still gonna be midfielder or a defender come the end of the pre-season. 6/10
Mohamed Elneny: Very solid and efficient on and off the ball, we know what we get with Elneny similar to Holding a very useful unsung player to have around the club. 8/10
Eddie Nketiah: The physical training Eddie did over the summer has clearly helped him because he looks so much stronger on the ball now. His movement very good as usual. 7/10
Nicolas Pepe: Played as a striker, struggled to get into game. I want to see him back on the left at some point that's where he played his best football for the club between March 21-May 21, however I fear his time may be up. 6/10
Pablo Mari: Hardly tested, not much to judge him on. 6/10
Reuell Walters: Once again being played out of his natural position off full back looked very tidy in his 20 minute cameo. Very impressed with his calmness and composure for a 17 year old very impressive. If he stays at the club would love him to play in some of the Europa League group stage games. 7/10
Albert Sambi Lokonga: I understand Mikel's trying to train him to be the sort of Partey regen to play as lone 6 but right now Sambi best position his further forward, looks so much better when he's allowed get forward and has someone covering him. Did well in his cameo. 7/10
Reiss Nelson: Brought on late, didn't impact the game playing at left wing back, would love him to play a bit longer and in his actual position against Orlando. 5/10
See you in Florida!
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