Arsenal missed the possibility to maneuver inside 4 factors of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they had been held to a goalless draw by Everton on the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield meant the Gunners would have boosted their title hopes with a win however they may not discover a well beyond an impressed Jordan Pickford.
The Everton goalkeeper made two essential saves within the first interval, first blocking a deflected effort from Martin Odegaard, who additionally fired wastefully over within the early phases of the sport, then standing tall to dam a diagonal shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
Pickford picked up the place he left off after half-time, making an outstanding, reflex save to push Bukayo Saka’s volleyed effort across the submit because the dogged guests continued to frustrate Arsenal.
Jordan Pickford makes a reflex save to disclaim Arsenal
The hosts continued to use stress however Everton, buoyed by information that the Friedkin Group’s protracted takeover is lastly near completion, put up fierce resistance, repelling a succession of corners as Arteta surprisingly selected to withdraw skipper Odegaard for “tactical reasons” simply after the hour.
As at Craven Cottage final weekend, although, the place they drew 1-1 with Fulham, Arsenal struggled to show their dominance into clear possibilities within the closing phases.
Arsenal wished a late penalty following a coming collectively between Vitalii Mykolenko and Thomas Partey however VAR determined in any other case, making it 4 factors dropped in two video games for Mikel Arteta’s aspect and permitting Everton to have fun a hard-earned draw.
The Gunners stay third, some extent behind Chelsea and 6 behind Liverpool, with each of these sides having a recreation in hand, whereas Everton transfer to fifteen factors in fifteenth place.
Jurrien Timber challenges for the ball with Iliman Ndiaye
Evaluation: Arsenal lack a killer No 9
For the second Premier League fixture in a row, after final weekend’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, Arsenal had been left to rue a failure to show dominance into objectives. This was one other recreation to focus on their want for attacking reinforcements. They lack a killer No 9.
Kai Havertz has, for probably the most half, impressed within the function. His late purpose in Wednesday’s win over Monaco took him to double figures this season. However that complete consists of solely 5 within the Premier League and he by no means regarded like scoring right here, registering a solitary shot throughout the 90 minutes.
Arsenal want extra from their centre-forward and so they appear unlikely to get it from their various choice in Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored within the competitors since January. Like Havertz, he supplied little menace after his introduction within the second half.
Arsenal’s progress during the last two years has been fuelled by a capability to share the objectives round. It ought to be famous they broke a membership report with their complete of 91 final season.
However to take the subsequent step, it appears more and more apparent that they may want an attacking participant able to making the distinction in video games comparable to these. Their efforts to signal Benjamin Sesko in the summertime recommend they understand it. However, as January approaches, they will ill-afford to permit one other window to go with out bolstering their ahead line.
