Arsenal may have extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions, but their faltering attacking displays risk derailing a season filled with high expectations. For the second Premier League match in a row, Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession, yet Everton, like Fulham last weekend, held on for a draw.
Tellingly, the Gunners have won just half of their 16 league games this season – a record unworthy of a team with title ambitions.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of another frustrating afternoon for Gooners.
Mikel Arteta on failing to capitalise on a dominant performance…
I’m very disappointed not to win the game because we fully deserved to win the game. We conceded no shot on target, no shots off target, we dominated the direct play that they wanted to generate the chaos from, no set pieces, they didn’t run, we did all the right things up to the last 20 metres when we generated big situations, three big chances and at the end, we didn’t manage to score the goals. That’s the disappointment.
Source: Sky Sports
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Sean Dyche on a disciplined shift from his players…
You’ve got to know how to work without the ball. It’s very difficult at these grounds to think you’re going to have a lot of the ball so, therefore, you’ve got to do everything else well. I think we did that today. I thought the shape was good, the energy, the commitment to the cause to look after ourselves and get a clean sheet. All them things are part of a season’s work.
Source:BBC Sport
Arsenal (1.58) 0-0 (0.17) Everton
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) December 14, 2024
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on his side’s performance…
It’s about how we apply ourselves – stick to the game plan and suffer. We suffered a lot without the ball. We dug a point out. Two defeats in 10 or 11. The discipline is there. Against Arsenal, you’d smash and grab a point all day long. I made some good saves at good times. The lads made some brilliant blocks. A good performance from everyone.
Source: Sky Sports
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Kai Havertz on Arsenal’s struggles in attack…
They are a tough team to break down. They are very solid in the box. Just the little details in the box, we didn’t manage to do them. We didn’t find the final pass. Sometimes I think the positioning in the box wasn’t perfect so we have to look at that and make it better next game.
Source: Arsenal.com
Arsenal 0-0 Everton FT
Arsenal miss a big opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool. A disjointed performance from the Gunners:
— Opta Analyst (@optaanalyst.optajoe.com) December 14, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Arteta on what his side are missing…
It’s all the moments that we need to have a little more composure and more quality in those moments, that’s normal. That’s it. Tracking back? Unbelievable. Putting in the high press? Unbelievable. Dominating a lot of things? Unbelievable, but the disappointing thing is that you want to come away winning after what you’ve done on the pitch.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Theo Walcott on Arsenal dropping points…
Any opportunity that Arsenal don’t get a result is always going to be a missed opportunity because Liverpool are relentless. It was a dogged performance from Everton – you could have predicted that performance before the game but of course, it’s a missed opportunity.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
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Since returning from injury on November 10, Martin Ødegaard has created the most chances of any player in the Premier League (17), pic.twitter.com/c19iRuv11m
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 14, 2024
Havertz on whether fatigue was a factor in Arsenal’s performance…
I don’t think so. Of course, it’s tough, we play every three days, we see some players are injured, not fit, try to come back, it’s always tough, but we are professionals, we try to recover, I think that’s not an excuse. Today we wanted to win and we should win that game. We have to stick together now and stay positive.
Source: Viaplay Fotball
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Arteta on his decision to sub Rice and Odegaard…
Well, with Declan, I had to take him out because he was feeling something. And with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change their rhythm, especially on that side. If Ethan comes in [for Odegaard] and scores a goal, is he a great sub? If he doesn’t, you have taken your captain out. That‘s football. He [Rice] has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He has to be subbed in that moment. We have to do it.
Source: Post-game press conference
I think we need to get real about the level that is required to win a Premier League.
🎥 On the Whistle | Arsenal 0-0 Evertonhttps://t.co/P7Lra0bwDS
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) December 14, 2024