3 standout performers from the pre-season win over Everton

Fans often put varying degrees of weight on pre-season. Some view it as merely another fitness exercise while others will pore over formations and analyse names on the team sheet.

The importance of pre-season is between the two extremes. While friendlies are invaluable for players getting back up to speed, fans can learn a great deal about the manager’s expectations as well.

Against Everton, Arsenal pressed high while maintaining an impressive degree of composure on the ball. Players interchanged quickly, leaving the Toffees looking completely lost, despite playing with five at the back. There were no disastrous showings, especially in the first half as Mikel Arteta named a strong starting XI.

3 standout performers from the pre-season win over Everton

Here are three players who not only played well but stood out in a solid preseason game against Everton.

3. Thomas Partey

When certain players start, it is immediately clear that they are on another level to anyone else on the pitch. Thomas Partey is one of those players. After a lengthy absence at the tail end of last season, he made his return in Baltimore. And what a return it was.

As disruptive off the ball as he was calm on it, he showed exactly why he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League when fit and firing. His ability to take the ball off the back four and move it quickly and accurately to those further forward is exceptional. He is deceptively simple in his play and is always available to receive a pass.

While he leaves fans in awe, he also leaves them a bit nervous. Seeing a player so integral to the success of the side play with little to no backup means any injury will result in a steep drop-off in form as was seen last season. However, there remains plenty of time to address this in the transfer window.

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