Arsenal missed the chance to move within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield meant the Gunners would have boosted their title hopes with a win but they could not find a way past an inspired Jordan Pickford.
The Everton goalkeeper made two crucial saves in the first period, first blocking a deflected effort from Martin Odegaard, who also fired wastefully over in the early stages of the game, then standing tall to block a diagonal shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
Pickford picked up where he left off after half-time, making a superb, reflex save to push Bukayo Saka’s volleyed effort around the post as the dogged visitors continued to frustrate Arsenal.
Jordan Pickford makes a reflex save to deny Arsenal
The hosts continued to apply pressure but Everton, buoyed by news that the Friedkin Group’s protracted takeover is finally close to completion, put up fierce resistance, repelling a succession of corners as Arteta surprisingly chose to withdraw skipper Odegaard for “tactical reasons” just after the hour.
As at Craven Cottage last weekend, though, where they drew 1-1 with Fulham, Arsenal struggled to turn their dominance into clear chances in the closing stages.
Arsenal wanted a late penalty following a coming together between Vitalii Mykolenko and Thomas Partey but VAR decided otherwise, making it four points dropped in two games for Mikel Arteta’s side as Everton celebrated a hard-earned draw.
The Gunners remain third, a point behind Chelsea and six behind Liverpool, with both of those sides having a game in hand, while Everton move to 15 points in 15th place.
Jurrien Timber challenges for the ball with Iliman Ndiaye
Arteta: I can’t ask for much more from my players
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in his press conference:
“I feel very disappointed not to win the game, because obviously there is only one team which deserves to win, which is Arsenal. We gave nothing away, no shots conceded, dominated the direct play, didn’t allow them to run, no set-pieces, our high-press was excellent.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left frustrated by the goalless draw
“We generated the chances, but in the last 20 metres the goals were missing, which is what you have to do with all the dominance, because we have never been able to dominate it that way.
“You have to try to generate the highest winning probability and we certainly have done that. Now that you draw the game, you want more. Even if we win it, we always want more. But I cannot ask much more of the boys, apart from putting the ball in the net.”
On taking off Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard after 62 minutes: “With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something, and with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm, especially on that side.”
Analysis: Arsenal lack a killer No 9
Sky Sports‘ Nick Wright:
For the second Premier League fixture in a row, after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, Arsenal were left to rue a failure to turn dominance into goals. This was another game to highlight their need for attacking reinforcements. They lack a killer No 9.
Kai Havertz has, for the most part, impressed in the role. His late goal in Wednesday’s win over Monaco took him to double figures this season. But that total includes only five in the Premier League and he never looked like scoring here, registering a solitary shot across the 90 minutes.
Arsenal need more from their centre-forward and they seem unlikely to get it from their alternative option in Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored in the competition since January. Like Havertz, he offered little threat after his introduction in the second half.
Arsenal’s progress over the last two years has been fuelled by a capacity to share the goals around. It should be noted they broke a club record with their total of 91 last season.
But to take the next step, it seems increasingly obvious they will need an attacking player capable of making the difference in games such as these. Their efforts to sign Benjamin Sesko in the summer suggest they are aware of it. As January approaches, they can ill-afford to allow another window to pass without bolstering their forward line.
