“I’m not not trying to criticize Arteta but I’m not happy with him for benching that player”: Arsenal star Bukayo Saka furious at Arteta for benching £46M player who always turns up in important game
“I’m not not trying to criticize Arteta but I’m not happy with him for benching that player”: Arsenal star Bukayo Saka furious at Arteta for benching £46M player who always turns up in important game
Arsenal missed the chance to move within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield meant the Gunners would have boosted their title hopes with a win but they could not find a way past an inspired Jordan Pickford.
The Everton goalkeeper made two crucial saves in the first period, first blocking a deflected effort from Martin Odegaard, who also fired wastefully over in the early stages of the game, then standing tall to block a diagonal shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
Pickford picked up where he left off after half-time, making a superb, reflex save to push Bukayo Saka’s volleyed effort around the post as the dogged visitors continued to frustrate Arsenal.
The hosts continued to apply pressure but Everton, buoyed by news that the Friedkin Group’s protracted takeover is finally close to completion, put up fierce resistance, repelling a succession of corners.
As at Craven Cottage last weekend, though, where they drew 1-1 with Fulham, Arsenal struggled to turn their dominance into clear chances in the closing stages, making it four points dropped in two games for Mikel Arteta’s side and allowing Everton to celebrate a valuable point.
The Gunners remain third, a point behind Chelsea and six behind Liverpool, with both of those sides having a game in hand, while Everton move to 15 points in 15th place.
