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Arsenal 2022/23 pre-season: Predicted XI vs Everton – Jesus earns first start

By James Cormack

NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 08: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 08: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /
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Almost two months since Arsenal wrapped up their 2021/22 campaign with a 5-1 triumph over Everton, the Gunners face the Toffees once more across the Atlantic.

The club’s pre-season tour of the USA begins in the early hours of Sunday morning (UK time) with a clash against their Premier League rivals. Arsenal have kicked off their summer with a pair of victories, but Everton represent a step up in quality from Ipswich Town and FC Nurnberg.

Predicted Arsenal XI for pre-season friendly vs Everton

Mikel Arteta has 32 players to select from for Saturday/Sunday’s game, and here’s the starting XI we think he’ll pick.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Arsenal, Rambo
Aaron Ramsdale could earn some early pre-season minutes. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Ramsdale wasn’t involved against Nurnberg but he’s made the squad list for the tour and I expect him to get some early minutes.

Cedric Soares (CB) – Hector Bellerin has captained the side throughout pre-season thus far but I don’t expect Arteta to give the Spaniard a heap of minutes in the States. Cedric and Takehiro Tomiyasu will share most of the load; the former could start in this one.

Rob Holding (CB) – Arteta has several options at his disposal and any could start against Everton, including 17-year-old Reuell Walters. We didn’t see Holding in Germany, so he could get the nod here.

Gabriel (CB) – Pablo Mari was pretty disastrous against Nurnberg and I really don’t want to be watching him attempt to play football in an Arsenal shirt for much longer. Hopefully, Gabriel gets the start.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Arsenal are rather short-changed at left-back which means Tierney will likely round off the backline in Baltimore. I expect the Scot to get 45 minutes under his belt before being switched for Nuno Tavares.

Midfielders

Arsenal, Sambi
Albert Sambi Lokonga could start in the single pivot. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Albert Sambi Lokonga (DM) – Lokonga is currently better suited to an #8 role, but this is a brilliant opportunity for the Belgian to hone and refine his craft in the single pivot.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – Fabio Vieira is also in contention and could quite easily earn a start, but Arteta could use the Portuguese playmaker in a different role. Thus, the door’s open for Odegaard to make his first start of pre-season.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – The usage of Emile Smith Rowe opposite Odegaard wouldn’t do Lokonga any good. So, should the Belgian start at the base, Arteta would be wise to pick Xhaka as the other #8. He’ll help protect Lokonga in defensive transition.

Forwards

The man we all want to see. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The man we all want to see. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /

Marquinhos (RW) – We saw a mere flicker of Marquinhos against Nurnberg, and it’d be a surprise to see either Bukayo Saka or Nicolas Pepe start against Lampard’s men. This is a great chance for the Brazilian to strut his stuff.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – The man that every Gooner wants to see in action. Jesus was nothing short of electric against Nurnberg, helping Arsenal overturn a half-time 2-0 deficit in the blink of an eye. Let’s hope Arteta grants him a starting berth in this one.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Martinelli helped Jesus to one of his two goals last time out after coming off the bench at half-time. Arteta could opt for either the Brazilian or Smith Rowe down Arsenal’s left, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the pair split the 90 minutes between them.