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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Thomas Bristow

Arsenal winners and losers as William Saliba takes chance but two forwards struggle

Arsenal recorded back-to-back pre-season wins with a 2-0 victory over Everton in the United States.

The fixture kicked off in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time, as Mikel Arteta 's side made light work of the Toffees. Summer recruit Gabriel Jesus did exactly what he was brought in for when he opened the scoring just after the half hour mark, smashing the ball home from close range.

The Brazilian then turned provider, setting up Bukayo Saka only three minutes later. Frank Lampard changed his entire XI at half-time while Arteta made six changes before opting for further swaps midway through the second half.

While only a pre-season fixture it's another important win for Arsenal, following on from their 5-3 victory over Nurnberg. And Mirror Sport picked out the winners and losers from the contest at the M&T Bank Stadium.

Winners

Gabriel Jesus

Aside from his early shot, Jesus hadn't really threatened up until his goal. But he took advantage and showed killer instinct. Exactly what Arsenal need. The ball fell to him from a corner, he took one touch and bang. Into the roof of the net. Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit Arsenal have been screaming out for a clinical goalscorer. In jesus they may now just have that.

Better still, he can also play provider. Only moments later the Brazilian teed up Saka for his goal.

Jesus finds the back of the net again (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Cedric Soares

Cedric hasn't had the best time at Arsenal, especially after an injury ravaged campaign was followed by the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu. But with the Japanese international absent from the matchday squad the Portuguese took advantage.

He covered for his centre-backs well and was alert to danger, snuffing out the threatening Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Looking very comfortable on the ball, it was an assured performance from the 30-year-old.

William Saliba

A solid performance from the centre-back, who could be a real asset for Arteta going into this season. Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year last term, the defender was solid, strong and composed at the back.

It's been turbulent at times for the 21-year-old but it seems he's finally ready to kick on at Arsenal.

Cedric put in a commanding performance (Scott Taetsch)

Losers

Smith Rowe

A penny for Smith Rowe's thoughts as he watched Arsenal run rampant against Everton with Odegaard as captain. He wasn't the only one absent from the squad with Ben White also not on the bench, but the No.10's playing chances have dwindled since the Norwegian made his permanent move to the Gunners.

He has played on the left flank but when Martinelli is in form and running at his opponents, Arteta won't want anyone else there. Fabio Vieira's arrival, another who plays in Smith Rowe's stronger position, also adds another conundrum. Smith Rowe will need to prove himself in every remaining pre-season fixture if he wants to force his way into Arteta's starting XI next season.

Maitland-Niles

A disappointing loan at Roma seems to have knocked the stuffing out of Maitland-Niles somewhat. A real force in midfield when on form, Maitland-Niles was unable to match the standards set by Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard in the first half.

Though he's probably happy to be back in midfield than at full-back, the 24-year-old often got lost and caught up in the congestion of the play.

Pepe and Nelson

While Nketiah struggled for service up top, he showed an aptitude for attacking the others quite didn't. Nelson looked a tad nervy on the ball at times while Pepe couldn't impact the game on the right the same way Saka had done in the first half.

Perhaps it's unfair to compare these two to Martinelli and Saka who made the left and right wing spots their own in the first half.

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