3 standout performers from the pre-season win over Everton

1. Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal’s new number 14 was excellent in his brief outing against Everton. While he did not score like his new competition Gabriel Jesus, his all-around game was a sight to behold. Eddie Nketiah is no longer the player he was. He is transforming in front of us.

Long gone are the days of the ball bouncing off of him or moving like Bambi on ice. Nketiah now glides with the ball at his feet, possessing solid if not great close control. He drops deep to great effect, opting to receive on the half turn and charge at the defence instead of getting roped into a physical battle he simply won’t win.

Nketiah still gets shots off but has added interplay to his game as well. He combines well with those around him before bursting into the box. His development certainly hasn’t been linear but he has more than repaid the faith Arteta has put in him.

Every single player on the pitch played to a fairly high standard. The three mentioned above, however, were a cut above the others. Top-level performances from top-level players are crucial to Arsenal’s success in the coming campaign. Onto the next.