Arsenal completed their pre-season campaign by lifting the Emirates Cup, as they beat Lyon 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta will be pleased with how his side negotiated pre-season. Certainly, Arsenal look ready for the new Premier League campaign. In recent days they have put German champions Bayer Leverkusen to the sword, and were utterly dominant against Lyon.
Star players such as Martin Odegaard and William Saliba have shown their quality in pre-season, and a number of others have sent a clear message to Arteta with their form, too.
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal talks with teammate Thomas Partey after the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadi…
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko slipped down the pecking order at Arsenal last season. Now, following Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium and Jurrien Timber’s return to fitness, the Ukrainian left-back will face even more competition for regular game time.
Zinchenko has welcomed this competition, and appreciates that he will have to fight for his place in the manager’s plans. It would seem, though, that the former Manchester City man is up for this battle.
Zinchenko impressed against Lyon, and looks to have rediscovered his confidence on the ball. It ought not be forgotten how good he can be at his best, and what he adds to the Gunners’ attacking play.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus was another who struggled last season. Whilst injuries did, once again, impact his campaign, Arteta will have still expected a greater return than 4 Premier League strikes. The Gunners need the Brazilian to find a more clinical edge. Jesus has promised Arsenal fans he will find a way to become more prolific.
The Brazilian certainly looks to have been making progress during in pre-season. He is playing like a player with a point to prove. Jesus held talks with Arteta this summer, and convinced the manager that he can still deliver for the Gunners. The energy and sharpness he has played with in pre-season suggests that this could be a redemptive season for the forward.
Thomas Partey
Injuries decimated Thomas Partey’s season last time around, and have plagued him in general throughout his Arsenal career. Many Arsenal fans gave up on Partey last season, as it seemed that his fitness issues has caught up with him on the pitch.
However, the Ghanaian looked fit and confident against Lyon, and pulled strings in the middle of the park. At his best he is the Gunners’ most effective player when it comes to transitioning the team from defence into attack, and his chemistry with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard helps to elevate that duo.
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