Premier League 2024-25: Arsenal misses chance to close gap to Liverpool after goalless draw at home against Everton
Arsenal spurned several chances and failed to take full advantage of Premier League leader Liverpool’s slip-up against Fulham when it was held to a 0-0 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side kept its gap to Liverpool at six points but after its rival was held to a 2-2 draw, title hopeful Arsenal will be disappointed not to have made up some ground.
Arsenal remains third in the table on 30 points from 16 games, one point behind second-placed Chelsea, which hosts Brentford on Sunday. Everton is 15th with 15 points.
In a lively start at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, making his return from a hamstring injury, thwarted Abdoulaye Doucoure with an excellent block while Martin Odegaard twice shot wide from promising positions.
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Odegaard was heavily involved in Arsenal’s attack throughout the first half and the Norwegian midfielder was played in by Bukayo Saka in the 29th minute but his deflected shot was well kept out by Jordan Pickford.
Arsenal dominated possession but lacked its typical intensity, though it was able to test Pickford once again before the break, forcing the England stopper into another fine save to deny Gabriel Martinelli from a tight angle.
The host was more aggressive after halftime and almost nabbed a goal right away, but Pickford got down quickly to stop Saka’s shot before racing off his line to clear a poor backpass and spare team mate Jarrad Branthwaite’s blushes.
Frustrated by his team’s inability to break down a resolute Everton, Arteta made a big call just past the hour mark, taking off regulars Odegaard and Declan Rice in a double substitution and bringing on Jorginho and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
The changes did not pay dividends.
Everton, which snapped a three-match losing streak against Arsenal, kept the north London club off the scoresheet by swarming it every time it got near the penalty area.
The home side thought it had a penalty with minutes to go when Thomas Partey appeared to be fouled by Vitalii Mykolenko, but play was waved on and a lengthy VAR check did not overturn the referee’s decision.
The visitor barely troubled Arsenal keeper Raya but will be pleased with its defensive effort, which earned it a share of the points.
Newcastle thrashes Leicester 4-0
Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy netted a goal in each half as his side hammered Leicester City 4-0 in its Premier League clash at St James’ Park when the visiting Foxes suffered a defensive collapse early in the second half.
