Best Premier League pre-season performers including Arsenal star Jesus and Man Utd striker Martial
THE new Premier League season is less than two weeks away and teams are still being put through their paces in pre-season.
Some teams and players are looking sharper than others.
Manchester United, in particular, have looked sharp in Thailand and Australia.
The Red Devils are unbeaten under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Their standout performance in pre-season so far was the 4-0 win over Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Arsenal have also looked good and look re-energised in attack with new boy Gabriel Jesus leading the line.
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The Gunners stuck four past rivals Chelsea in America.
To some, pre-season results and performances are irrelevant – building up match fitness is more important.
But you should start how you mean to go on, right?
SunSport takes a look at the top five Premier League pre-season performers.
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Anthony Martial
Man Utd’s Anthony Martial looks a new man in pre-season.
The Frenchman, 26, has scored in three of United’s four pre-season games so far.
He has impressed Ten Hag so much that the Dutchman doesn’t want to sell him this summer.
With United short in the attacking department, Martial has the opportunity to impress and turn his United career around.
William Saliba
Arsenal defender William Saliba is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club.
The Frenchman, 21, joined Arsenal from St Etienne in 2019 for £27m.
Saliba has spent several loan spells back in France and impressed at Marseille last season.
He could finally grace the pitch in a competitive setting for Arsenal following his performances in pre-season.
Boss Mikel Arteta singled Saliba out for praise.
Arteta said: “I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he’s shown at 21, carry on doing it.
“We will keep developing him. He is already a top player and we have to make him even better. He looked ready to me.”
Gabriel Jesus
The £45million Arsenal signing hit the ground running and looks to be the man to fill the void left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Jesus has four goals in pre-season with two of those coming against Everton and Chelsea.
The 25-year-old’s goal against Chelsea was special.
Jesus chipped Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before wheeling away in celebration.
He bagged a brace on his debut against Nurnberg.
Eric Bailly
Forgotten Man Utd man Eric Bailly is another player who has seized his opportunity to impress new boss Ten Hag.
The defender has featured regularly for the Red Devils during pre-season.
He impressed fans with his lung-busting runs through the middle of the pitch which led to goals against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory.
Bailly’s pace could be useful to Ten Hag, who likes his team to play on the front foot.
The defender may be able to bail United out if they get caught on the counter.
Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League last season following his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.
The tricky winger has worked hard this summer to make sure his second term with Aston Villa is better than the first.
Bailey scored in the 2-2 draw with Man Utd Down Under.
Boss Steven Gerrard purred: “It was more than an impact. He changed the game, he showed energy, he showed speed and a hunger to cause problems.
“He’s come back from pre-season as a different player, not just from a technical point of view, his demeanour, his body language.
“I think he’s trusting his body more so we need to keep him healthy. So far for Leon he’s sending a massive message to me that he wants to be in the XI so he needs to have a strong two weeks.”
Honourable mentions
A number of players worth a mention are Erling Haaland, Darwin Nunez and Joao Palhinha.
The first two names mentioned have arrived in the Premier League with big expecations.
Haaland scored on his Manchester City debut in the 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
And Nunez, despite drawing criticism for some loose touches, scored FOUR in one match against RB Leipzig.
The German side publicly took to Twitter following the match to recognise Nunez’s killer instincts in front of goal.
Palhinha will be key for newly promoted Fulham this season.
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The Portugal international will be the glue that holds Marco Silva’s midfield together.
He scored a screamer for the Cottagers in the Estoril Praia.