Arsenal’s Title Hopes Dented Once more by Stalemate ⚽
Inevitability in soccer is a tough beast. Irrespective of how dominant a crew appears, you continue to want to truly rating. Arsenal had all of the possession, loads of probabilities, and but, in opposition to a cussed Everton protection, the breakthrough by no means got here. With Liverpool dropping factors, this was a golden likelihood to shut the hole. However, as a substitute, it slipped by Arsenal’s fingers.
“While you do what we did as we speak, you’ve acquired to win,” Mikel Arteta mentioned. He was clearly pissed off. “We gave nothing away. If there was one crew that deserved to win, it was Arsenal. However you want a spark and precision.”
That spark? Nowhere to be discovered. Precision? Simply as scarce. For the second week in a row, Arsenal struggled to crack a crew defending deep. It’s been three and a half league video games since their final open-play aim. Set items are nice, however counting on them an excessive amount of paints a worrying image.
Early Possibilities, No Payoff
Martin Ødegaard had some attractiveness early on however couldn’t hit the goal. One shot was deflected by James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford. Gabriel Martinelli’s effort simply earlier than halftime? Kicked away by Pickford once more. Even Bukayo Saka’s sharp volley within the second half was saved with ease.
Had simply considered one of these gone in, Arsenal would’ve probably cruised to victory. However, as the sport wore on, frustration grew. The creativity dried up. It was all crosses into the field, most of them wasteful.
Ødegaard, a key determine in Arsenal’s current resurgence, was subbed off after an hour. Regardless of a number of vibrant moments early on, he by no means reached his common heights.
Everton’s Defensive Masterclass
Everton didn’t supply a lot going ahead, however they didn’t should. Abdoulaye Doucouré had their solely actual likelihood, however Gabriel’s block snuffed out the hazard. Sean Dyche’s plan was clear: frustrate Arsenal, defend in numbers, and waste time when wanted.
“Our focus and a spotlight to element had been wonderful,” Dyche mentioned. And he wasn’t incorrect. Everton’s backline, led by Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, soaked up all the pieces Arsenal threw at them.
Pickford had one other standout recreation, tipping away Arsenal’s higher set-piece makes an attempt. Time-wasting earned Everton two yellow playing cards, however it additionally purchased them respiratory room.
Set-Piece Showdown
For Arsenal, the corners had been speculated to be the ace up their sleeve. They’ve turned dead-ball conditions into an artwork kind beneath specialist Nicolas Jover. However in opposition to a Dyche crew? Good luck with that.
Tarkowski and Branthwaite had been like brick partitions. Arsenal’s 5 first-half corners produced little greater than a scramble that Pickford dealt with simply. Their finest second-half try was a Mikel Merino header straight at Pickford.
Dyche groups reside for moments like these. Outsmarting Jover’s set-piece methods appeared to be a degree of satisfaction for Everton.
Missed Alternative
This draw leaves Arsenal questioning what would possibly’ve been. The title race remains to be broad open, however with each missed alternative, their margin for error shrinks. Everton’s grit, Pickford’s brilliance, and Arsenal’s lack of inspiration made for a irritating afternoon on the Emirates.
