A look back at some potential moments missed from Everton's goalless draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
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Updated 11:45, 15 Dec 2024
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Referee Craig Pawson brandishes a yellow card as Ashley Young of Everton protests during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Following the Merseyside Derby postponement due to Storm Darragh, Everton followed up their 4-0 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers by frustrating Arsenal with a well-earned goalless draw. Here’s a look at some of the potential moments missed from the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Forever Young
There are plenty of self-entitled supporters across all of the 'Sky Six' but in many ways, lots of Gooners are a breed apart when it comes to getting wound up. Speaking on AFTV, one Arsenal fan bemoaned: "Martinelli, he should have left in handcuffs.
"You've got a 39-year-old Ashley Young, and you can't f*****g beat him. That's a f*****g crime!
"That's a crime. I'm the same age as Ashley Young bro, I can barely run up the stairs."
Fresh from finding the net with his first Premier League goal at Goodison Park since his stoppage time winner for Aston Villa almost 16 years earlier, Everton’s oldest ever goalscorer Young continued to defy the sands of time by helping his side to back-to-back clean sheets. His manager, who is a former team-mate from their Watford days might shun social media but the 39-year-old, who is widely regarded to be the Blues most-consistent performer this season, likes to bridge the generation gap by actively using the platform.
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Earlier this month, Young used his X account to celebrate being drawn against his son Tyler’s Peterborough United in the FA Cup third round by proclaiming: “Wow, dreams might come true,” adding #Goosebumps moment and #YoungvsYoung. As an old pro who helps himself to keep going at the highest level by knowing every trick in the book, his message also helped apply some pressure on Posh boss Darren Ferguson, someone who knows all about having to live up to his famous father (Sir Alex) by giving some extra game time to an 18-year-old midfielder who he’s only handed 27 minutes of EFL Trophy action to so far this term.
Following the full-time whistle at the Emirates, where Arsenal had netted eight goals in their previous three games, Young issued a message that showed the camaraderie in Everton squad, by remarking: “Togetherness, tick; another clean sheet, tick; Hard work but well worth it everyone.”
Also posting on the platform was Orel Mangala, whose passing helped the Blues to alleviate the repeated waves of pressure from Mikel Arteta’s side, with the Belgium international midfielder showing he’s learning quickly by stating: “Proper away day, good battle. Enjoy the trip home Toffees!”
Ton up Tarky uses his head
It goes without saying that Everton skipper James Tarkowski had to use his head to ensure his side avoided defeat against the high-flying Gunners but wasn’t just in the literal sense of the centre-back repeatedly winning aerial battles to nod the ball to safety. Much was made in the build-up to this match of Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces but as we all saw from the Blues’ previous fixture against Wolves when Tarkowski was denied a first goal of the season by VAR because Mangala was rather spuriously deemed to have been interfering with play, he loves to attack a lofted ball into the box, whether that’s in his area or the opposition’s.
This game was set up for the 32-year-old to produce a master class of what is his meat and drink, dominating in such areas with his bravery and willingness to put his body on the line for the cause. Such spirit has brought the durability that has ensured Tarkowski has not missed a single Premier League fixture since he signed for the club when his Burnley contract expired in the summer of 2022 and an ever-present record in the competition has been the backbone behind him racing to 100 Everton appearances in less than two-and-a-half seasons.
The Mancunian celebrated the milestone in fine style with arguably his most assured display so far this term. What was less obvious though, was Tarkowski using his head just before Everton retook the field for the start of the second half.
Tunnel footage in the press box showed him, along with club captain Seamus Coleman – named as one of the substitutes – speaking to referee Craig Pawson. The Blues had been on the receiving end of several decisions that had annoyed manager Sean Dyche in the first 45 minutes, so were the visitors making their point with the match official?
Super Kev remembered
This was the first meeting between Arsenal and Everton since Kevin Campbell’s untimely passing at the age of just 54 in June and supporters of both clubs did him proud. Outside the Emirates Stadium, a prominent billboard showed Campbell in the red and white of Arsenal and blue and white of Everton with the message: “He’s one of our own.”
The same slogan and image were displayed on a large banner unfurled by Arsenal supporters inside the ground just before kick-off while travelling Blues played their part by displaying a flag showing the face of ‘Super Kev’ and the number nine jersey he proudly used to wear for their team. His sister, Lorna, one of the family members invited by the hosts as guests for the fixture, and also a director of the Kevin Campbell Foundation, presented Bukayo Saka with his Arsenal player of the month award.
Although Campbell was a goalscorer, perhaps the share of the spoils was fitting in the end. A London lad from Lambeth, Arsenal were his boyhood team, but he died a Blue, and while there have been better Everton players, few have been more loved, and what cannot be disputed is that in 1999, when the club needed a hero more than ever before, he stepped up to the plate and delivered in prolific and emphatic fashion.