Takeaways from Wednesday night in Orlando

It was definitely a game of two halves, as Arsenal won the club’s fourth straight match of the preseason, 3-1 over MLS-side Orlando City on Wednesday.

Here are my takeaways…

1. Orlando City proved to be a worthy opponent. Actually, they were a tougher foe than Everton over the weekend. Especially in the first half, this was a club that played with a lot of heart, and at times displayed impressive skills to counter the tough Arsenal press.
2. Gabriel Jesus is a real competitor and a true winner. Following a missed opportunity, the Brazilian showed frustration that he had failed to score. This was very impressive to see, especially in a preseason friendly.
3. Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka looked sharp, and are already linking up with their new front row partner, Jesus.
4. Keeping Eddie Nketiah as a Gunner was a terrific move. Personally, I hope we see Eddie and Jesus play together a lot in the coming season. They are pure chaos in front of the goal.
5. Aaron Ramsdale made one helluva save in the first half to keep OCSC from scoring on a break away. The shot stopper was once again active and emotional in the net.
6. Reiss Nelson was Reiss Nelson. You never know what you’ll get from the lad, however, on this night he netted a goal.
7. Mo Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga also put in solid shifts. The Belgium, especially, was good on the ball and wasn’t afraid to push forward with runs and with passes. Probably, one of Albert’s better outings as a Gunner.
8. Ben White performed admirably in the right fullback role. We will see more of this during the season if Cedric Soares is cut loose.
9. Gabriel and William Saliba were the twin towers of defense in the second half. Along, with White, this will become one of the best back lines in the Premier League. Mark my words.
10. Then there were Nuno Tavares, Pablo Mari, Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares and Rob Holding. If this was an audition, the casting director would have sent them packing. Tavares, especially, was erratic defensively and incapable of keeping his shot out of the upper deck.
11. Matt Turner is not Aaron Ramsdale, but on Wednesday Matt showed he will become a suitable #2.
12. And finally, Hector Bellerin. The poor man just wants to play for Real Betis

Mikel Arteta had a few comments for Arsenal.com following the match, “Right from the beginning it was very lively, from both supporters, but we suffered in the first half, physically. We didn’t pick up the rhythm, it’s warm, it’s humid and we didn’t show the determination to play the way we want to play. The game was open. But the second half was completely different, we took control of the game and played the way we wanted to play. We generated so many chances and the boys enjoyed it more.”

Still to be seen in preseason are Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe. We saw Kieran Tierney and Marquinhos briefly in Germany, and, of course, we’re waiting to see Oleksandr Zinchenko once he signs on the dotted line.

This is still a work in progress as Arteta and his squad prepare to face their toughest preseason test on Saturday v Chelsea in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. Expect both squads to play strong starting XIs, since neither side will want to lose a London Derby, Orlando-style.

Cheers.

Gunner1953