Arsenal endured another difficult weekend as they dropped more points in the race for the title and failed to take advantage of a second successive slip-up by Liverpool. The goalless draw with Everton was yet another frustrating moment for Mikel Arteta’s side who missed chance after chance to take the lead.
The mood at full-time was low and even some boos could be heard ringing out from the stands, something not witnessed since the real early days of Arteta’s tenure. It is certainly now for different reasons with changing expectations as the Spaniard has elevated the team back into the title conversation.
As usual, football.london were in attendance for the game and in the mixed zone after. Plenty of interesting things were spotted which could give us some insight into the future ongoings at the club.
David Raya responds
After game, we had the pleasure of speaking to goalkeeper David Raya. He provided his thoughts when asked by football.london about not getting the desired result.
“Yeah, we are frustrated because it’s a point on the board but I think we did everything we could to get the three points apart from put the ball in the net. We created chances, we dominated, we kept them quiet, they only had one chance in the first half.”
While not having to make a single save as Everton managed zero shots on target all game, he was asked how he deals with having ‘nothing to do’ in games. Something he was quick to qualify in his response.
“Well I think, you say I’ve got nothing to do but I thought I played really really well,” Raya said while half-chuckling. “Maybe not making saves but helping the team with balls in behind, managing the games and all that stuff, it’s just part of the game, part of how we play and that’s what the team needs.
“Needing me when the balls go behind, keep the play, keep the ball, not kicking it out of player or making rash decisions. So, I thought it was a complete game from myself.”
As another question was to be put to the Spaniard, he quickly walked off and back to the dressing room. In his defence, Raya has been one of the strongest performers this season and having made some meaningful collections and distributions in the match, he was evidently disappointed that the team couldn’t bring home the three points.
Josh Kroenke in town
One noticeable inclusion through the mixed zone was Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke. The well-dressed American owner made his way to the lift as he prepared to go up to the executive level following what assumedly was a visit to the dressing room after the match.
The timing of Josh Kroenke’s attendance in north London comes just a couple of weeks before the opening of the January transfer window. Supporters are hoping that the club will be spending this winter but recent reports have since claimed only injury and opportunity will force the club into a significant spend.
Jason Ayto meeting
One of the key aspects of Josh’s potential presence in north London is to get involved with the process of replacing Edu. The former sporting director resigned some weeks ago and there is yet no sign of who might take over.
The man in the interim role is Jason Ayto. He, like Edu before him after each game, walked through the mixed zone and he made his introductions ahead of what is of course a massive January window.
He is a potential candidate for the position but there are other names such as Roberto Olabe as well. Time will tell who could get the nod from the manager and the ownership.