PLAYER REVIEWS: Gabriel Jesus scored one, created another and his move was crucial in tying the Arsenal attack together…as James Tarkowski left his mark on Everton
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Arsenal kissed to a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton in their pre-season friendly at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 33rd minute of the game and provided an assist for Bukayo Saka – who scored Arsenal’s second just three minutes later.
Sportsmail’s Daniel Matthews looked at how each player performed during the Baltimore exhibition game.
Arsenal kissed to a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton in their pre-season friendly
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1)
Matt Turner – 6.5″
American was applauded more for its local ties than for any meaningful contributions. Alert to sweep balls over the top, but looked hesitant with the ball at his feet.
Cedric Soares – 7
His corner tricked both Ben Godfrey and Jordan Pickford into making Gabriel Jesus’ opening goal. Calvert-Lewin on the other side denied with a nice covering tackle before coming out before half time.
William Saliba – 7.5
His second appearance at Arsenal was without major incident, which is a compliment to his self-assurance against Calvert-Lewin. Shifted to the right of a back three and rarely bothered.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Got involved in an unnecessary shove with Abdoulaye Doucoure during the first half, but that was as close as Everton gave him fear.
Nuno Tavares – 6.5
A typical buccaneer cameo from the left-back, who posed a threat to the future, but whose idiosyncratic positioning put Nathan Patterson in a dangerous position.
Granite Xhaka – 6
Nearly opened the score with a good header that hit the woodwork. However, with the ball at his feet, the midfielder was surprisingly wasteful, giving Everton a couple of half chances.
Thomas Partey – 6.5
Caught in several messy challenges as this friendly match got unnecessarily irritable in the first half. Stood well behind midfield.
Bukayo Saka – 7.5
His goal, which was scored from close range on the back post, was well deserved for the effort he put in Everton left-back Niels Nkounkou
Martin Odegaard – 5.5
Made little impression on his return despite constantly looking for openings in Everton’s backline.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7.5
Has carried a threat from the left as well as the left to the back, but was occasionally let down by his final product.
Gabriel Jesus – 9
I could hardly have wished for a better first start. Jesus scored one, created another and his move was crucial in tying the Arsenal attack together. Brings intensity and bite to the side of Arteta.
SUBS:
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6.5
Tried his luck with a long-range attempt as Arsenal battled for a third in the second half.
Rob Holding – 6
Came in the middle of Arsenal’s backline as Arteta shifted to a back three. Rarely bothered.
Mohamed Elneny – 6.5
Typically diligent and disciplined in midfield after coming on at half time.
Eddie Nketiah – 6.5
Difficulty with clear chances, but the striker’s hard work almost forced a third goal after a loose return pass.
Hector Bellerin – 6
Played very high as both right back and right back but failed to create anything meaningful.
Nicholas Pepe – 5
It didn’t make much of an impression when the game went out in the second half, apart from a curling attempt late at the end.
Albert Sambi Lokonga – 6
Pablo Mari – 5
Reiss Nelson – 5
Reuell Walters – 7
EVERTON FIRST HALF XI (5-4-1):
Jordan Pickford – 6
Nathan Patterson – 6
Mason Holgate – 6
Yerry Mina – 6.5
Ben Godfrey – 6
Niels Nkounkou – 5
Demarai Gray – 5
Tom Davies – 6
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6.5
Dele Alli – 5
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6.5
SECOND HALF XI (5-4-1)
Billy Crellin – 6.5
Stanley Mills – 7
James Tarkowski – 7
Michael Keane – 6.5
Reece Welch – 6.5
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 7
Jean-Philippe Gbamin – 6.5
Lewis Warrington – 7
Alex Iwobi – 7.5″
Anthony Gordon – 7
Salomon Rondon – 6
More to follow…