Arsenal’s slim hopes of ending their 21-year Premier League title drought took another blow on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Goodison Park.
Leandro Trossard gave the visitors the lead with a well-taken finish on the counter-attack, but Iliman Ndiaye equalised from the penalty spot, leaving the Gunners trailing league leaders Liverpool by 11 points.
The Merseysiders also have a game in hand and now require just 11 points from their remaining eight fixtures to clinch a record-equalling 20th league crown.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, a former Everton player, expressed frustration with both the result and his team’s performance. “It’s always tough here.
“They’re a very physical and direct side, and we didn’t start the second half well at all,” he said post-match.
With a looming Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, Arteta opted to rest several key players.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, and the injured trio of Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus were all missing from the starting XI.
Nevertheless, Arsenal dominated the first half.
Trossard’s opener, set up by Raheem Sterling’s surging run through midfield, marked his first league goal since January.
But Arsenal’s recurring struggles in front of goal once again proved costly.
Saka and Martinelli were introduced after the break to bolster the attack, but moments into the second half, Everton were awarded a penalty.
A contentious foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison prompted VAR review, but the decision stood. Ndiaye calmly converted, sending goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way.
Raya later denied Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fierce drive as Everton threatened a comeback, but the hosts ultimately settled for a point.
Arsenal pushed for a late winner, but Odegaard and Mikel Merino squandered golden opportunities in the closing minutes.
The draw means Everton climb to 14th, now 15 points clear of the relegation zone. Their only recent loss came in the heated Merseyside derby against Liverpool midweek.
Manager David Moyes, who had earlier vowed not to visit the club’s new 53,000-capacity stadium until safety was within reach, confirmed he now plans to go, crediting his team’s solid run for providing a buffer from the drop.
“We’re nearly there. It would be really tough for the teams below to catch us now,” said Moyes, who returned to the club in January determined not to tarnish his legacy with a relegation.
“I knew taking Everton down would’ve been a disaster. Thankfully, the players have really stepped up.”
