THE STANDARD
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt another blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home Everton.
Liverpool’s draw with Fulham means that the Gunners did not lose further ground on the league leaders, still six points behind having played a game more, but this was a hugely frustrating afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Martin Odegaard had three first-half opportunities, one sent over the bar, one wide and the other forcing Jordan Pickford into a good save.
The England goalkeeper was called upon again inside a minute of the second-half when Bukayo Saka lashed a volley towards the near post, but Pickford got down brilliantly
.There was otherwise little in the way of clear-cut chances, for all Arsenal dominated possession and camped themselves in the Everton half, and the Gunners could not produce any late drama.
The best chance of an underwhelming opening period – and ultimately the match – fell to Odegaard on the half-hour mark. The move started with an exquisite ball from the outside of Kai Havertz’s left boot which sent Saka on his way.
The in-form England man ghosted past Jarrad Branthwaite before pulling the ball back to Odegaard. In space, in the centre of the area, Odegaard unleashed a left-footed strike on the Everton goal. But Pickford was on hand to produce a fine save to deny the Arsenal skipper. Pickford was called upon two minutes before the interval when he blocked Gabriel Martinelli’s effort.
Everton had been largely happy to contain their opponents – with Arsenal boasting 75 per cent possession in the first 45 minutes – although Abdoulaye Doucoure might have done better in the sixth minute…
