Mikel Arteta handed over a starting place to William Saliba post-match talk of the Frenchman once again holding onto whether he won’t be a regular first-team player this season – something the coach has vowed to at least make a possibility.
An energetic start suggested the Gunners could steamroll a Toffees team for their first proper game of the pre-season calendar in front of a half-full M&T Bank Stadium.
That cracking was evident when Mason Holgate played a no-pass across the 18-yard line that swallowed Jesus and should have scored, but before Jordan Pickford’s relatively easy stop.
From the resulting angle, Granit Xhaka nodded an attempt at the far post, with Jesus unable to properly hold the snapshot rebound.
It was from a corner that led Arsenal into the 32nd minute, Pickford came off his line to flutter to a cross that went straight to Jesus for an easy finish.
It took just moments for the Gunners to make it 2-0 when Bukayo Saka entered the penalty area on the end of Jesus’ ball, intended for Gabriel Martinelli nonetheless, and the England international fired home easily.
Frank Lampard traded his entire squad for the second period, including Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi alongside new signing James Tarkowski. Six new men, including Rob Holding and Eddie Nketiah, entered the fray for Arsenal.
Everton and the impressive teenage fullback Stanley Mills, son of ex-England star Danny, improved when the Gunners pulled out, despite some on the pitch, including Nicolas Pepe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, having to impress their manager after a move to a back five.
Arsenal’s own young defender, 17-year-old Reuell Walters, came as part of another wave of changes in the final 20 minutes as Arteta’s men grew back into the game and saw the result.