BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 16: Arsenal fans celebrate their 2-0 victory at full time of the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Everton at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal 2-0 Everton: 3 talking points as Gunners down Everton
by Adam Schultz
Arsenal defeated Everton by two goals to nil, with Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo netting in the first half as the Gunners record back-to-back preseason wins.
It was a reasonably strong starting side for Mikel Arteta as William Saliba was finally in action for the Gunners. Matt Turner was in goal again as Jesus led the line.
Arsenal was in control from the first whistle as they pressed and harried Everton as the Toffees struggled to string two passes together. The Gunners finally broke through just after the half-hour mark as Gabriel Jesus was lurking at the back post from a corner.
Victory in Baltimore! ✊
🔴 2-0 🔵 (FT) pic.twitter.com/oiYm2LcpaA
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 17, 2022
The ball fell to the Brazilian, who took a superb touch and then rifled the ball into the net.
The Gunners had their second just minutes later. Jesus was involved again as he went on a great run. He tried to pick out Gabriel Martinelli in the box but missed, and the ball fell to Saka, who was trailing in at the back post and slotted home.
A super half of football saw the Gunners lead 2-0 at the half.
As expected, Arteta rang the changes and the second half failed to live up to the first as Arsenal seemed content just to play out time, which they did as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 win.
The game provided plenty of talking points. Here they are.
Jesus shines yet again
While it may only be preseason, our Brazilian number nine hit the ground running. Two goals against FC Nurnberg, and the 25-year-old followed it up with a well-taken strike against Everton.
His link-up play, consistent pressing, and eye for a pass terrorized the Everton defense in the first half. His touch to set up his goal was out of this world as he stopped it on a dime.
Gabriel Jesus touches down Cedric’s cross & rifles it into the roof of the net for the opening goal to continue his great pre-season form. 😍 #afc https://t.co/VXrRYc1Q93
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 16, 2022
It may only be two games, but it appears that Mikel Arteta has the final piece in his team’s attacking puzzle. Jesus was outstanding as he led the line with aplomb.
He already seems to have developed a great connection with Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, as all three interchanged well in the first half as Everton was all at sea.
Continued on next slide…
pic.twitter.com/oiYm2LcpaA
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1548473529355579392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 17, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The ball fell to the Brazilian, who took a superb touch and then rifled the ball into the net.<br />
The Gunners had their second just minutes later. Jesus was involved again as he went on a great run. He tried to pick out Gabriel Martinelli in the box but missed, and the ball fell to Saka, who was trailing in at the back post and slotted home.</p>
<p>A super half of football saw the Gunners lead 2-0 at the half.</p>
<p>As expected, Arteta rang the changes and the second half failed to live up to the first as Arsenal seemed content just to play out time, which they did as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 win.</p>
<p>The game provided plenty of talking points. Here they are.</p>
<h2>Jesus shines yet again</h2>
<p>While it may only be preseason, our Brazilian number nine hit the ground running. Two goals against FC Nurnberg, and the 25-year-old followed it up with a well-taken strike against Everton.</p>
<p>His link-up play, consistent pressing, and eye for a pass terrorized the Everton defense in the first half. His touch to set up his goal was out of this world as he stopped it on a dime.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus touches down Cedric’s cross & rifles it into the roof of the net for the opening goal to continue his great pre-season form. 😍 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://t.co/VXrRYc1Q93">https://t.co/VXrRYc1Q93
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1548454270671863808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 16, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It may only be two games, but it appears that Mikel Arteta has the final piece in his team’s attacking puzzle. Jesus was outstanding as he led the line with aplomb.</p>
<p>He already seems to have developed a great connection with Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, as all three interchanged well in the first half as Everton was all at sea.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-127788 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1241947235.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1241947235.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1241947235-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: William Saliba of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Everton at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Saliba impresses in Baltimore</h2>
<p>Probably one player that the entire fanbase was delighted to see be handed a start. Saliba partnered Gabriel in the heart of the defense and barely put a foot wrong.</p>
<p>He did get caught ball-watching early in the first half as Cedric bailed him out. Otherwise, it was a complete performance from the Frenchman.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">William Saliba. 🥶 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://t.co/wZRxoYJx7B">https://t.co/wZRxoYJx7B
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1548467587322810372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 17, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>He was cool, calm, and composed on the ball as he did the simple things well and sometimes played within himself. His pace was often utilized when Everton tried to play long diagonal balls into his area, but he quickly swept them up.</p>
<p>It was an assured performance from the 21-year-old as this performance may give Mikel Arteta something to think about. He was part of a back three in the second half with Rob Holding and Gabriel and, again, looked at home.</p>
<p>Sensational to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127789 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1409195578.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1409195578.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1409195578-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Neils Nkounkou #18 of Everton kicks the ball in front of Cédric Soares #17 of Arsenal during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>We can see Arteta’s vision clearly</h2>
<p>With the addition of Jesus, we can see what kind of team Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to be. A high-pressing, difficult team to play against and, at times, will suffocate the opposition.</p>
<p>That is what happened against Everton. While some will say it is only preseason, yes, that is true, but we can see by what transpired that the Gunners could be a dangerous force this season.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus links up with Bukayo Saka to double Arsenal’s lead! 😍 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://t.co/NqXBQyPlsO">https://t.co/NqXBQyPlsO
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/17/arsenal-2-0-everton-3-talking-points-gunners-everton/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1548454634137669632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 16, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>With Jesus pressing every time the ball went back to the goalkeeper or out to a defender and Martinelli and Saka following suit along with the midfield, the Gunners closed spaces down brilliantly and often left Everton nowhere to go.</p>
<p>The result was a long ball up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which Gabriel or Saliba often mopped up.<br>
The first half was a complete domination as Everton couldn’t live with the Arsenal press. While it will likely not be able to be perfectly replicated every week, when done right, the Gunners could be virtually near impossible to stop.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
