Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 positives and negatives from Arsenal’s pre-season win over Everton

By Mitch Peotter

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 16: William Saliba of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Everton at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 16: William Saliba of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Everton at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Positive #2 – WilliamSaliba

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Dominic Calvert-Lewin #9 of Everton kicks the ball in front of Wiliam Saliba #12 of Arsenal during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Dominic Calvert-Lewin #9 of Everton kicks the ball in front of Wiliam Saliba #12 of Arsenal during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

After years of waiting, Arsenal fans finally got to see William Saliba play for the Arsenal.

The Frenchman made a great first impression with an excellent performance. Some fans started throwing comparisons to Virgk which is obviously very much hyperbole in pre-season with such a young player still.

It was awesome to finally see him play for the team, and it will be great to see him finally have a role in the team this season.

Negative #2 Physicality

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Vitaliy Mykolenko #19 of Everton and Hector Bellerin #2 of Arsenal battle for the ball during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Vitaliy Mykolenko #19 of Everton and Hector Bellerin #2 of Arsenal battle for the ball during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Despite the match being a warm-up for the actual season, it was hard to tell in the first half. The intensity was very high which is good for the players getting back into shape but not great with the potential of injuries happening to players in a match that does not matter.

There is no reason for players to be diving into tackles or getting in each other’s faces. It is supposed to be a friendly but when familiar foes play against each other, you can have that added aggression.

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