Arsenal are set to take on Everton in the USA as we look to get our tour of the USA underway, with William Saliba set to start alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
Today’s line-up could well be close to what will likely be our favoured starting XI for the upcoming season, depending on how Arteta sees his defenders evolving, with Nuno Tavares, Matt Turner and Cedric Soares likely to drop to the bench for the new term.
🚨 Team news from Baltimore…
🇺🇸 Matt Turner in goal
🇫🇷 Saliba in at the back
🇧🇷 Gabby makes his first startCOYG! 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 16, 2022
I would be shocked if this team was to go onto lose today given the strength of the side named, with an exciting attack likely to cause all manner of problems for our rivals.
Could this be the beginning of a flourishing partnership of Gabriel and Saliba?
Patrick
Let’s hope so…COYG
Jesus puts us in the lead…1-0 to The Arsenal 😁
Saka makes it 2-0…😁
Missed most the 1st half but i was impressed with how we seemed like a team and that everyone on the pitch showed up for the ball and no silly mistakes,
Eddie looked like hes still buzzing from last season and Pepe looked a bit more calm on the ball so its looking good 2 games into pre-season and lets hope it continues.
My honest assessment of the first half, which I believe is the better representation of the team is that we had a slightly above average game. Unless our rivals have poor season, top 4 will be almost impossible to break into.
Turner may not be good enough.
Saliba and Gabriel had a good game but there is still room for improvement. Will be too harsh to judge Saliba now but I hope he is not just a hype.
Cedric is ok as a backup but we need a new backup LB as Tevares is not ready.
To be honest, I am not too impressed with the midfield. There is no flair and not enough clearcut chances created. If Arsenal wants to challenge for the title, the duo of Odegaard and Xhaka needs to be replaced with better players. They will be good backups, though. We need SMS/Tieleman and Paqueta. My only doubt about Paqueta is he might not fit into Arteta style. Players with his skillset can only thrive in a free role and Arteta is a conservative coach. The front 3 of Jesus, Martinelli and Saka were looking sharp and capable.
Arteta also needs some adjustment tactically. The team appears too rigid with positioning and the attackers don’t seem to play to their full capabilities. I expect more fluidity and movement from the front 5 but this is lacking. And I don’t see the point of high crosses into the box to a relatively short striker among towering defenders unless we get a tall striker who will be called on in some games.
Spot on mate. I thought I was the only one who actually watched this game. I really hope Saliba ain’t just a hype, cos to be honest, he didn’t really have a great game. Most of his passes were backward. But like you said, it may be too early to judge. And that midfield really needs re-enforcement. Elneny had a great second half though.
Game of 2 halves. We were atrocious second half. AMN, Lokonga both invisible, Pepe as bad as ever, Holding and Mari not good enough, Tavares all over the place, Turner struggling with his positioning, Bellerin obviously doesn’t want to be here. Impressed with Partey, Xhaka, Jesus and perhaps above all Saliba next to Gabriel on debut. Felt really sorry for NKetiah second half – our only attack-minded player. We look paper thin without Vieira, Ramsdale, Tierney, White, Tomi, ESR, Zinchenko. What’s the point Mr Arteta of getting players who aren’t staying or aren’t good enough (Pepe, Bellerin, Mari, AMN, Tavares) match fit?!!!!!! Surprised in that case you didn’t play Torreira and Leno…
@guy
Calm down dude. It was a preseason friendly…
Saw the full game.
Jesus!!! the drop in quality once our league starters were taken off and AMN, Pepe, Bellerin, Elneny & Nketiah came on is night and day.
Only Nketiah and Elneny seemed like proper footballers among those guys.
I hope we don’t go into any game this season hoping and deluding ourselves that AMN would hold the midfield together.
Love Gabriel’s confidence at the back.
Saliba was solid too.
The first half was a joy to watch, second half was meh.
That first half team, imagine the likes of Tomiyasu, Viera, Tierney, ESR and Zinchenko still joining in.
Now that’s what you call squad depth.
Get another midfielder and a winger then we’re good to go
My guy Nketiah looking bright and Saliba put in a great performance. I can’t wait to see what the coming season holds for these two.
Well done guys, let’s keep it rolling like that and continue with good and right mentality…..