Having netted five times against both Ipswich Town and 1. FC Nurnberg, our pre-season campaign steps up another level on Saturday as we face Premier League opposition in Everton at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
Just 56 days have passed since the sides last met, which saw Mikel Arteta’s team run out 5-1 victors on the final day of the season, but plenty has happened since then as the Toffees aim to get back on track after a difficult 2021/22 campaign.
Find out how the rebuilding process is going with our guide below:
How did last season go?
To say it wasn’t to plan would be an understatement. Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to Real Madrid last summer left a vacancy that was controversially filled by Rafael Benitez. A promising start saw 13 points taken from their opening six games, but then their next 15 league games would yield just a solitary victory, coming at our expense in December thanks to Demarai Gray’s injury-time winner at Goodison Park.
That slump saw Benitez sacked in January and replaced by Frank Lampard, but six points from his first nine games left the Toffees in the relegation zone with six games to go. However, 10 points were quickly earned - including a crucial comeback from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace in their penultimate game - to edge them out of trouble and finish 16th.
How has this summer been?
In terms of revamping the playing squad, it’s been relatively quiet so far, however rumours of a takeover continue to swirl. A consortium fronted by former Manchester United and Chelsea supremo Peter Kenyon publicly stated their interest in purchasing the Blues, but owner Farhad Moshiri is reportedly not interested in selling.
Everton legend Duncan Ferguson has also departed having been assistant manager for the past eight years, while another long-serving player in Leighton Baines has been appointed manager of the Under-18 side.
Our game in Baltimore will be Lampard’s first chance to see his team in action this pre-season, with further friendlies against Minnesota United, Blackpool and Dynamo Kyiv currently arranged before their Premier League season gets underway at home to Chelsea.
What new faces will we see?
The one new arrival so far is former Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski on a free transfer. The 29-year-old, who has won two England caps, opted not to extend his six-year stay at Turf Moor following the Clarets' relegation last term.
Youngsters Billy Crellin, Zan-Luk Leban, Stanley Mills, Isaac Price, Lewis Warrington and Reece Welch have all been included in the travelling party to the USA, as have Nathan Broadhead, Niels Nkounkou and Jean-Philippe Gbamin who will be looking to impress Lampard after being loaned out last term.
Who won’t we see?
The major move has seen last season’s talisman Richarlison depart to Spurs for a reported £60m. The 25-year-old scored 10 goals and provided five assists to help drag his side to safety last term, but opted to end his four-year stint at Goodison.
Other transfer activity has seen right-back Jonjoe Kenny join Hertha Berlin, while Cenk Tosun returned to his native Turkey with Besiktas. Fabien Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson have also been released, while Anwar El Ghazi and Donny van der Beek’s loan spells ended. Young goalkeeper João Virgínia has also been loaned to Dutch side SC Cambuur.
How can I watch the game?
If you're in the Baltimore area, then tickets can still be purchased here.
If not, all the action will be streamed live on Arsenal.com and our official app - find out how to purchase your match pass.
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