Arsenal were held to a goalless draw against Everton on Saturday afternoon as the Gunners' title hopes slipped further into the distance. With Liverpool drawing 2-2 with Fulham, Mikel Arteta's side failed to capitalise and remain six points off the Reds at the top of the Premier League.
"I feel very disappointed not to win the game. Obviously there was only one team who deserves to win - which is Arsenal," [Arteta said afterwards.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/every-word-mikel-arteta-said-30588824) "We did gave nothing away, not shots conceded, we dominated their play, didn’t allow them to run, no set pieces, high press excellent. We generated the chances.
"But in the last 20 meters we were missing to score goals - which is what you have to do with all the dominance because we have never been able to dominate it that way. At the end you have to generate the highest possible winning probability. We certainly did that. At the end if you draw the game you always want more. We want more. But I cannot ask much more from the boys apart from putting the ball in the net."
[Some of Arteta's calls during the game were questioned by sections of the media](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/three-strange-arsenal-calls-mikel-30588822), with the Spaniard taking off captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli. Another player substituted was Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was making his first senior league start for the Gunners.
Despite the 18-year-old's natural position being a midfielder, the teenager performed well on the left side of defence against the Toffees. He played in the same position against Monaco in the Champions League during the week and again performed well.
The fact Lewis-Skelly has been trusted to play at left-back, however, with Kieran Tierney sitting on the bench perhaps speaks volumes about the Scotland international's future at Emirates Stadium. Tierney, 27, has not yet featured for the Gunners this season after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained at Euro 2024. The Scot has been named in the past six matchday squads but has yet to get on the pitch.
In the 3-0 win over Monaco, Jurrien Timber and not Tierney replaced Lewis-Skelly. Against Everton, it was Thomas Partey who replaced the Hale Ender, with Timber moved over to left-back so Partey could operate on the right.
The fact Tierney has been ignored by Arteta these past few weeks perhaps hints that the former Celtic man could move on when the January transfer window opens. At the age of 27, Tierney still has a number of good years ahead of him and with only 18 months left on his contract, the Gunners could still demand a fee.
Arteta was asked about the club's January plans before the game against Everton but did not give too much away. "I never expect January to be super busy but we have to wait and see where we are," he said.
"Some surprises can come. We are prepared for that. Some opportunities too. We have to see. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see."
With Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly and even Jakub Kiwior capable of operating at left-back, you would think Tierney will be allowed to leave Arsenal in January should a club come in for him. The Scotland international probably needs a move for the good of his career.