**Arsenal were punished for a flat performance on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a goalless stalemate by Everton.**
There was a first Premier League start for teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back following his performance in midweek, and his inclusion sought to offer greater balance to Arsenal's attacking play.
However, the Gunners were left frustrated by a dogged Everton in the first half. While the hosts dominated the ball and spent much of the opening period camped around the visitors' box, Jordan Pickford was tested infrequently.
Martin Odegaard went close on a couple of occasions, but Arsenal's territorial dominance wasn't matched by their ability to work openings. Once again, an uplift was required in the second half. It was all too pedestrian.
> Patience. Sustain pressure and don't pass the ball to Martinelli.
>
> — Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) [December 14, 2024](https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1867954412876071387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Pickford was forced into a couple of excellent saves at the start of the second half as Arsenal sought to claim the crucial first goal. A double switch on the hour was brave from Mikel Arteta, who removed Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard for Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri respectively, but there were no immediate signs of a resurgence.
The Toffees dug their heels in and increased in comfort as the contest progressed. While there was a sense of urgency in the stands, that wasn't reflected on the pitch. In the end, Arsenal sleepwalked their way to a stalemate, with their performance warranting nothing more than a disappointing point.
Gabriel was back in the starting XI on Saturday / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
**David Raya (GK) - 6/10 -** There was very little for Raya to do here. Gabriel prevented the goalkeeper from making an early save and Arsenal smartly limited the number of set-pieces they were forced to defend against a proficient Everton team.
**Jurrien Timber (RB) - 6/10 -** Typically solid from Timber, but nothing outstanding. Wasn't tested much defensively and could've offered more going the other way.
**William Saliba (CB) - 7/10 -** This was never going to be Saliba's toughest challenge of the season, and the Frenchman sauntered through the contest with little fuss. Everton's brightest opening arrived when the defender was down injured high up the pitch.
**Gabriel (CB) - 7/10 -** Was almost immediately involved on his return to the team as he made an excellent recovery challenge to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure. Made life tough for Dominic Calvert-Lewin throughout. Good to have him back.
**Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 7/10 -** The teenager looked comfortable again. There was perhaps no standout sequences as there were against Monaco, but Lewis-Skelly offered comfort in possession and was rarely beaten one-on-one.
_Continued on the next slide..._