December 14, 2024
We were held to a goalless draw as we endured a frustrating afternoon at Emirates Stadium.
Despite dominating in terms of possession and chances created, we could not break down a resolute Everton rearguard.
Martin Odegaard had our best chances in the first half, while Bukayo Saka came closest after the break, but his volley was well saved.
So in the end we had to settle for a second consecutive draw in the Premier League.
Everton had the first sight of goal. Inside five minutes they won the ball high up the pitch and launched a counter attack with William Saliba caught out of position. Abdoulaye Doucoure got on the end of it, but was denied by a sliding Gabriel block as he pulled the trigger.
Aside from that though, nearly all of the opening 30 minutes was played in the Everton half. A Mikel Merino cross bounced just in front of Odegaard as he lined up his shot inside the area, but he couldn't keep his effort down.
The skipper was a bit closer with his next effort, skipping past his man outside the area, before dragging his shot just wide with his favoured left foot.
With Odegaard's next attempt, he hit the target but was denied by the sprawling Jordan Pickford. It came at the end of the best move of the half. Kai Havertz threaded a pass through to Saka, who wrong footed two defenders before picking out Odegaard near the penalty spot. Our No. 8 composed himself with bodies in front of him, but Pickford denied him.
Despite dominating in terms of possession, we were finding the Everton side tough to play through. Most of our attacks were funnelled down the wings, and Pickford was claiming all crosses coming his way.
Gabriel Martinelli did get in behind the defence though, after a quick pass through the middle from Declan Rice found Havertz ahead of him. He shifted the ball on to the scampering Martinelli, but his shot from a narrow angle was blocked by the keeper.
We came out for the second half looking to raise the intensity, and Saka drew a smart save from Pickford in the opening minute. A loose defensive header fell nicely for his first-time volley, but the England stopper got down well at the foot of the post. From the resulting corner Merino headed straight at Pickford.
We kept pressing. Havertz got the ball caught under his feet inside the area before he teed up Saka who had his drive charged down. Saka then had a cross-shot blocked from inside the area as we sought the breakthrough.
On the hour mark Mikel Arteta changed two thirds of his midfield – he sent on Ethan Nwaneri and Jorginho in place of Declan Rice and Odegaard.
Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard were all summoned as well from the bench, to add to our attacking options on the pitch.
A late Saka corner caused confusion in the box but Saliba's couldn't get enough on it when the ball dropped to him.
Partey had a penalty appeal turned down in injury-time, on a day of utter frustration in north London.
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By Arsenal
