Arsenal's Premier League title hopes hit another hurdle as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton's stubborn rearguard at Emirates Stadium.
Jordan Pickford was in fine form between the sticks for the Toffees, who also defended excellently to frustrate their hosts. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka came closest for the Gunners but were both denied by the England goalkeeper.
With the league leaders held by Fulham at Anfield, Mikel Arteta’s side could have revived their title bid but fell short against Everton’s resolute defense.
Earlier this month, Sean Dyche's side secured their own 4-0 victory against Wolves and carried forward some momentum, approaching the Emirates Stadium match with renewed confidence. Despite arriving with their backs against the wall, Everton managed to snatch what could prove to be a valuable point as they look to steer clear of relegation.
Everton had the first significant chance of the match, with Abdoulaye Doucoure finding space inside the box, only to have his left-footed strike blocked by Gabriel Magalhaes. After this, Arsenal swiftly established dominance through effective interactions between their forward players. Saka’s shot was blocked, but he provided the best opportunity for Odegaard on the half-hour mark. Unfortunately, Pickford's quick reflexes foiled the Scandinavian star's strike, deflecting it out for another corner.
Despite Arsenal’s dominating possession, they struggled to break through Everton’s well-organized defense. The hosts ramped up the pressure, but Pickford showcased his skills with successive saves, particularly his impressive stop from Saka’s volley just after the halftime break.
Attempts by Arsenal to score, including several well-placed crosses, were thwarted by Everton’s steadfast defense, coordinated by James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite. Their efforts ended Arsenal's promising attacks as the visitors absorbed pressure effectively.
The contest also had moments of controversy when VAR checked for a possible penalty following Mykolenko’s challenge on Thomas Partey. The check determined no foul was committed, much to the relief of Everton’s defenders.
Overall, Arsenal managed 13 shots, with Odegaard and Saka particularly involved, each taking three shots during the match. Despite their numerical advantage and higher expected goals tally (1.42 compared to Everton's 0.17), the Gunners couldn't find the back of the net.
Post-match, Arteta expressed his disappointment, stating, "Very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game. We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score."
On the other side, Sean Dyche praised his squad's commitment, noting, "They're a fine side. We know they are. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics - pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players. These performances are what will keep us safe." The draw leaves Arsenal third, three points off Liverpool and Chelsea, whereas Everton rests comfortably mid-table, three points clear of the relegation zone.
Arsenal's next outing will be against Crystal Palace for the EFL Cup quarter-finals before they return to Premier League action. Meanwhile, Everton looks to maintain momentum as they host Chelsea next Sunday. After back-to-back draws, Arsenal’s title aspirations may be fading, raising questions about their attacking efficiency and overall persistence to compete at the top level.
It remains to be seen how Arsenal will respond to this setback, needing to refine their offensive strategy if they are to pose any threat to their rivals for the Premier League title.
