Vitaliy Mykolenko, Arsenal, Everton
Vitalii Mykolenko Everton decision clear after first half shredding v Arsenal
Zak Anderton
Sun 15 December 2024 17:10, UK
Everton put in a more than decent performance against Arsenal on Saturday after they managed to share the points with Mikel Arteta’s men thanks to their 0-0 draw in the Premier League.
This season has been fairly tough for the Toffees with the Merseyside outfit winning just one of their last five games in the top flight and losing to teams such as Southampton.
However, their performance against the Gunners has shown that there’s a more than solid team within Sean Dyche’s men and that they could have what it takes to survive this season, especially if Vitaliy Mykolenko can keep up his form.
Both Mykolenko and Ashley Young had impressive outings on 14 December with Dyche complimenting the play of the Ukraine international.
“You have to know how to work it without the ball. It’s difficult at these grounds to think you’ll have the ball. You have to do the other things well,” he said in quotes relayed by the BBC Sport website (14 December).
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“Ashley Young has been in great form. Great strength of character. Vitaliy Mykolenko, one of his big strengths is one one-on-ones. The midfield three were excellent.
“They’re a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics – pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.
“They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were.”
Why cou ld Vitalii Mykolenko be key to the Premier League survival of Everton?
This season, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man has been entrusted by Dyche to be his starting left-back when he hasn’t been injured.
While there have been times when his performances have left a lot to be desired if the form he showed against Arsenal can be replicated across other games, the defensive stability he brings to the team could be key to their survival this season.
As per Sofascore, in the 90 minutes Mykolenko was on the pitch, he maintained a pass accuracy of 62 per cent and had a total of 38 touches throughout the game.
As aforementioned, yesterday’s game was arguably one of his strongest defensive performances of the season with the defender making six clearances, two interceptions, four tackles and was only dribbled past three times.
During the clash, he also managed to block a shot from the Gunners, which helped the Toffees earn a point from the Emirates.
Everton fans Goodison Park
Everton fans at Goodison Park
He did lose possession of the ball 10 times but when you’re as involved as Mykolenko is in games, he’s expected to lose the ball on more than one occasion.
Attacking-wise it wasn’t his best game with zero per cent of his long balls being accurate but when his defensive ability is as strong as it was, it feels like fans could forgive him for having an off-game in the attack.
In other Everton news, Robbie Savage was left shocked by what Chris Sutton told him about Everton after the game against Arsenal.
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