Arsenal: Five things we learned from Mikel Arteta’s 2-0 pre-season win over Everton

Arsenal  continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Everton at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. 

Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka were on target in their pre-season friendly against the Merseyside club. 

Here, Sportsmail’s Daniel Matthews looks at five things we learned from the encounter.

Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Everton (above) 

GABRIEL JESUS IS FIRING FOR ARSENAL 

Safe to say these early signs bode rather well. Gabriel Jesus’ debut against Nurnberg ended with a brace, this first start brought another goal and an assist inside 36 minutes. 

The £45million forward finished emphatically from Cedric’s corner before laying on Saka’s second having coming short to link the Arsenal attack. His movement was excellent and his tenacity will add a new dimension to this Arsenal front-line. Here, Yerry Mina did his best to wind up Jesus and the forward was only too happy to take on the challenge.

WILLIAM SALIBA’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Arsenal supporters had waited nearly two years for another glimpse of William Saliba. This second appearance brought few fireworks but that is testament to the defender’s poise and control. 

He was beaten by one diagonal ball but otherwise stood up well to the challenge of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and then comfortably shifted to the right of a back three for the second half. His return will give Mikel Arteta new opportunities this season.

DELE ALLI FAILS TO MAKE HIS MARK 

Were it not for the boos on the few occasions he carried the ball, it would have been easy to forget Dele Alli had started last night. Perhaps the sole highlight of a miserable 45-minute cameo? The former Tottenham midfielder had the ball in the net, only to be flagged offside. 

Beyond that, he touched the ball 19 times and attempted just eight passes – fewer in the first half than any other outfield player except Calvert-Lewin. He must have ranked high for complaints-per-minute, mind.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI TO LEFT-WING BACK 

For the second time in as many pre-season matches, Gabriel Martinelli was shifted to left-wing back. The Brazilian has played there before, when Arsenal were chasing games, but might these be the first signs of a more considered shift? 

There is no doubt the winger has the energy required to shift up and down but Arsenal will be keen not to curb his attacking threat. The Brazilian was still adventurous enough to drive into the box for Arsenal’s first chance of the second half.

FANS ARE LIVING FOR THESE PRE-SEASON GAMES 

And to think some people believed this ‘Charm City Match’ was only another attempt to add gloss to an otherwise meaningless pre-season friendly. Before kick-off in Baltimore, the crowd were treated to fireworks and a flyover by fighter jets. Then came the handbags.

Gabriel Jesus and Yerry Mina set the tone, scrapping inside the first couple of minutes. Frank Lampard wasted no time before chirping at the fourth official. Gabriel and Abdoulaye Doucoure shared another shoving match. Ben Godfrey flew in on Jesus but the Brazilian had the last laugh.