Starting XI: Turner, Cedric, Saliba, Gabriel, Tavares, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard (C), Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Arsenal’s second pre-season encounter ended with the same result as their first as a quick-fire double from new signing Gabriel Jesus and young superstar Bukayo Saka ensured a 2-0 win for the Gunners in their first game of their USA tour.
Mikel Arteta’s side made a bright start to the match as they showed strong intent from the first whistle, pressing hard and making sure Everton could not play the ball out from the back. This impressive pressing helped Arsenal dominate possession and the overall pace of the game in the early stages, and they eventually got their reward as following Granit Xhaka’s header hitting the post a few minutes before, Arsenal’s second corner resulted in a goal as Gabriel Jesus superbly plucked the ball out from the sky with his first touch, controlling it dead and allowing him to strike high into the top corner. Giving the Gunners a deserved first half lead.
This lead was quickly doubled as Jesus turned from goalscorer to provider as he picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, drove into the opposition penalty area and brilliantly found Bukayo Saka at the back post who had the simple task of finishing from only a few yards out. Giving the Gunners a much deserved 2-0 lead heading into the interval.
One of the game’s most hotly anticipated actions was that of the second debut for Arsenal for defender William Saliba. The young Frenchmen spending the last three seasons following his signing in the summer of 2019 on successive loan spells in order to make sure he is fully prepared for the challenges of Premier League football. And this patient strategy seems to have paid off as following an extremely impressive loan spell at Marseille during the 21/22 season – where Saliba won Ligue 1’s Young Player Of The Year award – the defender showed supreme composure, speed, strength and confidence at the heart of Arsenal’s backline for 70 minutes. The Frenchmen will be eager to displace Ben White in Arsenal’s main RCB spot in the Arteta’s starting eleven and few can argue he has the quality to do so.
The brilliant first half was followed up by a fairly uninspiring second as both sides brought on a string of fringe and academy players. However, young Reuell Walters for Arsenal impressed in his 20-minute cameo, as the 17-year-old looks to gain experience in first team football. Eddie Nketiah also caught the eyes of many as he continues to look sharp ahead of what could be a big season for the young forward following his impressive end to last year’s campaign.
Arsenal’s next outing in America is against Orlando City at half-past midnight heading into Thursday where we hope to see new signing Fabio Vieira for the first time as the new away kit is set to get its first run out. Hopefully it will be another positive session which will result in three wins from three so far in pre-season for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.