Arsenal's pursuit of Premier League stardom suffered another potentially fatal blow as a dogged Everton held Mikel Arteta's toothless troops to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were warned to expect a frustrating afternoon against Sean Dyche's low block, and so it proved, as Arteta's men had 73% of the ball in the first half but were found wanting in the final third again, an identical story to their draw with Fulham one week ago.
Jordan Pickford having a blinder did not help matters for the hosts, whose set-piece powers also failed them in the first half, and Arteta's response was to boldly bring off midfield destroyer Declan Rice and creative hub Martin Odegaard early in the second period.
Such a brazen move did not pay dividends for the hosts, who were still huffing and puffing right until the death but could now blow Dyche's door down, making it back-to-back draws in the top flight as their disgruntled supporters cry out for some attacking inspiration.
Failing to capitalise on Liverpool also dropping points at home to Fulham, the third-placed Gunners remain six points below the Reds in the Premier League table having played a game more, but 15th-placed Everton's lead over the relegation zone has been cut down to six points thanks to Ipswich Town's astonishing late show at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Facing a refreshed Everton side under the tutelage of Dyche, Arsenal surely knew what to expect from their Merseyside counterparts, who unsurprisingly set up to defend and give David Raya the easiest day's pay of his life at the other end.
Arteta's side managed to dispel the myth that they only score from set-pieces in their Champions League win over Monaco, but they also wasted numerous chances in the same game, and their attacking play similarly left a lot to be desired on Saturday.
The Gunners boss has been criticised by fans in the past for not changing things up early, but he went from one extreme to the other here, hooking the admittedly ineffective Odegaard and Rice with just over an hour played and then reverting to the Thomas Partey right-back experiment.
No matter how much they pushed, Arsenal never looked capable of getting the better of Pickford, who put in an inspired display in between the sticks but benefitted from the Gunners' distinct lack of a game-changing attacker.
After another woeful display from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz up front, should the Arsenal board now be drawing up plans for that big-money striker in 2025?
MAN OF THE MATCH - JORDAN PICKFORD
© Imago
Not often did Arsenal manage to penetrate the Everton backline, but on the occasions that they did, Pickford stood incredibly firm to prove exactly why he remains England's number one goalkeeper.
The Toffees shot-stopper made five critical saves to win his side a hard-earned point, condemn Arsenal to another hugely crushing result and do Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool quite the title favour indeed.
ARSENAL VS. EVERTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 77%-23% Everton
Shots: Arsenal 13-2 Everton
Shots on target: Arsenal 5-0 Everton
Corners: Arsenal 8-2 Everton
Fouls: Arsenal 6-9 Everton
BEST STATS
Martin Ødegaard vs Everton:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 14, 2024
0 goals
0 assists
0 chances created
0 accurate crosses
0 fouls won
1 big chance missed
Hooked in the 62nd minute. pic.twitter.com/X08CqYDtha
Arsenal attempted 682 passes vs Everton - their highest total in a Premier League game this season.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 14, 2024
But they couldn't find a way through. 🫠 pic.twitter.com/cJP8P95iE9
WHAT NEXT?
Continuing their pursuit of silverware next week, Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on December 18, three days before also locking horns with the Eagles in league action at Selhurst Park.
Meanwhile, Everton have a full week to recuperate in between matches, but their next contest is an equally daunting one at home to title-chasing Chelsea on December 22.
Ben Knapton
