Arsenal's Premier League title hopes hit another hurdle as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Emirates Stadium.
2024/2025 Premier League
0-0
Match Events
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.
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.
10' So close to going 1-0 but Odegaard sends it just wide
12' Odegaard's shot over the bar
28' Pickford stopped Saka's corner
29' Ødegaard misses another golden chance
43' Pickford makes a great save!
47' Pickford stops the corner again
59' Just another chance from Saka
61' Rice and Odegaard off
68' Thomas on
74' Trossard on
81' Yellow Card! Armando Broja booked
89' NO pen! Thomas is taken down in the box
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, Merino, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Martinelli, William Saliba, Saka, Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Subs: Neto, Trossard, Sterling, Jorginho, Partey, Tierney, Jesus, Jakub Kiwior, Ethan Nwaneri
Everton XI: Young, Gueye, Pickford, Doucoure, Tarkowski, Calvert-Lewin, Mangala, Jack Harrison, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Iliman Ndiaye, Jarrad Branthwaite
Subs: Coleman, Keane, João Virgínia, Beto, Jesper Lindstrøm, Armando Broja, Nathan Patterson, Jake O'Brien, Harrison Armstrong