Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at home to Everton on Saturday afternoon
Theo Walcott claimed that one Arsenal star let his matchup get the better of him
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By YASEEN ZAMAN
Published: 12:17 EST, 15 December 2024 | Updated: 12:17 EST, 15 December 2024
Theo Walcott called out one of Arsenal's star players after he struggled in their 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday.
Despite holding 77 per cent possession and firing 13 shots at Jordan Pickford, the Gunners were unable to score at home to the relegation strugglers.
Walcott, who played for both clubs in his 18-year career, praised Everton left winger Iliman Ndiaye for his defensive efforts in the goalless draw.
He claimed that Senegalese international 'won the battle' with Bukayo Saka, who failed to score or assist in his third straight league game.
‘Ndiaye started to enjoy defending, which is a bit of a rarity,’ Walcott told Match of the Day. ‘He won the battle with Saka.’
Watching a clip of him defending against Saka, the Arsenal legend added: ‘Ndiaye, this is 30 minutes in, he already looks tired after working so hard.’
Theo Walcott claimed that Iliman Ndiaye 'won the battle' with Bukayo Saka against Arsenal
Everton signed the 24-year-old from Marseille in the summer for an undisclosed transfer fee
Pickford earned his sixth clean sheet on Saturday - the joint-most of any keeper this season
Walcott hailed Everton's hard-fought team effort, which earned the Pickford his sixth clean sheet of the season - the joint-most of any Premier League keeper.
‘[Everton] 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 who can just pull out saves like this.
‘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.’
Arsenal failed to capitalise on Liverpool's misfortunes, who also dropped points at home in a 2-2 draw with Fulham 225 miles away.
They trail the table-toppers by six points, while Arne Slot's side still have a game in hand to play after the Merseyside derby was called off last Saturday.