Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye ‘started to enjoy defending’ against Bukayo Saka (Picture: BBC)
Theo Walcott has called out Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka for losing his ‘battle’ with Everton star Iliman Ndiaye at the Emirates on Saturday.
The Toffees produced an impressive defensive performance to leave north London with a point as the Premier League clash ended in a 0-0 draw.
The result is undoubtably damaging to Arsenal’s hopes of landing this season’s top-flight trophy – missing a crucial chance to close the gap to leaders Liverpool – after they were also held to a draw by Fulham.
Walcott analysed Arsenal and Everton’s draw on BBC show Match of the Day and admits Ndiaye very much got the better of Saka this weekend.
‘Ndiaye started to enjoy defending, which is a bit of a rarity,’ Walcott said about Everton’s left winger. ‘He won the battle with Saka.’
Walcott, watching another clip of Ndiaye defending against Saka, added: ‘Ndiaye, this is 30 minutes in, he already looks tired after working so hard.’
Football pundit Walcott, who played for both Arsenal and Everton during his career, also singled out a number of other Toffees stars for praise.
Arsenal FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Bukayo Saka lost his ‘battle’ with Iliman Ndiaye (Picture: Getty)
‘Jordan Pickford said it [after the match], they worked hard for each other,’ Walcott said. ‘They doubled up.
‘When Arsenal did get in behind, Everton put bodies on the line, with James Tarkowski.
‘They were sharing jobs at times. If Ndiaye wasn’t there, Abdoulaye Doucoure would help him out. If Doucoure wasn’t there, Idrissa Gueye would come out, just to allow the other players to get their breath back.
‘They limited Arsenal to crosses but when they did [get a chance] you’ve got a goalkeeper (Pickford) who can just pull out saves like this. I mean it’s a fantastic save in the end, he’s unsighted.
‘Jesper Lindstrøm was the same when he came on. Jack Harrison had the same behaviours. Wingers against wingers.
‘But when they got defeated, their mate Ashley Young would help them out. Goals from open play is the issue for Arsenal this season.’
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