Arsenal 0 Everton 0: Match ends in controversy after late VAR penalty decision as Gunners drop points in title race
Arsenal blew a huge chance to close the gap on leaders Liverpool with a disappointing draw at home to struggling Everton.
The Gunners failed to make the most of their first-half chances and then struggled to create more in the second as visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and his defence held firm.
News of Diogo Jota’s late equaliser for Liverpool against Fulham was another blow and there were even a few boos at the final whistle.
Arsenal ‘keeper David Raya did not have to make a single save.
But at the other end his team lacked penetration and composure.
On a day when the clubs met for the first time since the death of Kevin Campbell, perhaps it was appropriate that it ended honours even.
As early as the sixth minute, Abdoulaye Doucoure had a great chance to put Everton ahead.
But the midfielder took long enough to shoot after being played through by Orel Mangala to allow Gabriel to retreat and make a good block.
From that point on, it was all Arsenal.
Only a combination of poor finishing, Jordan Pickford and great defending, often by James Tarkowski, kept the first half goalless.
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Odegaard was guilty of sending one presentable opportunity over the bar and another wide.
Arsenal’s corners caused chaos, with Pickford forced into unconvincing punches by deliveries from either side by Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
But Pickford produced a fine save in the 29th minute when Saka got the better of Vitalli Mykolenko yet again.
Odegaard eased on to the cutback but when his shot was half blocked and deflected by Tarkowski, the England goalkeeper kept it out with his legs.
Moments later that good work was almost spoiled when Tarkowski’s attempted header back to his ‘keeper forced Pickford into another panicked punch.
In the dying minutes of the half, an error by Jarrad Branthwaite allowed Arsenal to break but Pickford made a smart stop from Gabriel Martinelli.
The England ‘keeper was at it again soon after the break, getting down well to stop a Saka volley after a Tarkowski header fell to the Arsenal man.
Kai Havertz was unable to get a piercing Mikel Merino pass out of his feet and the frustration of the home crowd started to become audible.
Saka continued to have Mykolenko on toast but once more Pickford denied him from a narrow angle after a one-two with Odegaard.
It was no surprise that Arteta made a double change just after the hour as he introduced Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri. But the identity of the players who went off, Declan Rice and Odegaard, raised some eyebrows.
Everton boss Dyche soon sent on two reinforcements of his own, in Jesper Lindstrom and Armando Broja.
Not much changed. Arteta rolled the dice again with more than 20 minutes to go, sending on Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus.
Everton’s challenges were starting to get a little more desperate and the first-half siege resumed.
From a free kick, Havertz won a flick on but Gabriel was unable to turn the ball goalwards.
Down the clock ticked. Saka apologised after poorly heading a cross by final substitute Leandro Trossard when Havertz was behind him waiting to connect.
When Partey went down in the box, the home fans screamed for a penalty. But VAR agreed with referee Craig Pawson that Mykolenko’s challenge was a fair one.
A minimum of four minutes of stoppage time was indicated.
And Everton saw them out with the minimum of fuss.
Arsenal player ratings vs Everton
ARSENAL wasted their chance to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points as they were left frustrated by a resilient Everton.
Here’s how the players rated
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
No save to make. Could have lounged in the dressing room for the majority of the 90 minutes.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Started where he left off in mid-week in the Champions League, picking up great pockets of space in midfield and linking defence to attack with pace and precision.
GABRIEL – 6
Incredible recovery tackle to deny Doucoure with Saliba down injured. Well marked at corners with Everton doubling up on the Brazilian.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Lucky not to see Everton take the lead when he was down and out of position, but other than that was fairly untroubled.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Tried his best to insert some pace and urgency down the right-hand side but lacking in attacking areas.
DECLAN RICE – 5
A rare anonymous showing from the England international. Did not do enough to impose himself but for a few decent tackles. No shock to see him hooked after 62 minutes.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
Showed glimpses, but still needs to get up to speed with pace Arsenal want to play at through the middle.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
Blazed over and dragged wide from two good early chances – missing his shooting boots in the first half just like against Monaco – and looked generally off it.
It was still a surprise to see him subbed off just after the hour mark for Nwaneri.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Had a field day up against Mykolenko as Everton struggled to contain his brilliant movement and strength on the ball, yet Pickford made save after save.
Got in the way of a free Havertz header towards the end.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Lively, especially because he had the beating of Young with some darting runs that kept the 39-year-old busy and was denied by Pickford from a tight angle.
But yet again, was taken off for Trossard.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Lacked a serious goal threat but created Arsenal’s best chance with a delicious flick around the corner for Saka.
SUBS:
ETHAN NWANERI (ODEGAARD, 62) – 6
A few nice touches and turns, looking for that trademark left-footed curling finish.
JORGINHO (RICE, 62) – 6
Got on the ball as Arsenal’s primary dictator from deep.
THOMAS PARTEY (LEWIS-SKELLY, 68) – 5
Offered very little.
GABRIEL JESUS (MERINO, 68) – 5
One dangerous cross easily claimed by Pickford was about it.
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 74) – 6
A bright spark. A few good crosses as Young tired on the left.