ARSENAL wasted their chance to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points as they were left frustrated by a resilient Everton.
Liverpool drew 2-2 to Fulham at Anfield – but it was an equally frustrating day for the Gunners as they failed to find a way through a park the bus effort from the Toffees.
ReutersArsenal failed to close the gap on Liverpool[/caption]
ReutersDeclan Rice was subbed off with 30 minutes remaining[/caption]
Myles Lewis-Skelly again started at left-back, while Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice were surprisingly hooked off just after the hour mark.
Here is how SunSport rated the Arsenal players today.
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
No save to make. Could have lounged in the dressing room for the majority of the 90 minutes.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Started where he left off in mid-week in the Champions League, picking up great pockets of space in midfield and linking defence to attack with pace and precision.
GABRIEL – 6
Incredible recovery tackle to deny Doucoure with Saliba down injured. Well marked at corners with Everton doubling up on the Brazilian.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Lucky not to see Everton take the lead when he was down and out of position, but other than that was fairly untroubled.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Tried his best to insert some pace and urgency down the right-hand side but lacking in attacking areas.
DECLAN RICE – 5
A rare anonymous showing from the England international. Did not do enough to impose himself but for a few decent tackles. No shock to see him hooked after 62 minutes.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
Showed glimpses, but still needs to get up to speed with pace Arsenal want to play at through the middle.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
Blazed over and dragged wide from two good early chances – missing his shooting boots in the first half just like against Monaco – and looked generally off it.
It was still a surprise to see him subbed off just after the hour mark for Nwaneri.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Had a field day up against Mykolenko as Everton struggled to contain his brilliant movement and strength on the ball, yet Pickford made save after save.
Got in the way of a free Havertz header towards the end.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Lively, especially because he had the beating of Young with some darting runs that kept the 39-year-old busy and was denied by Pickford from a tight angle.
But yet again, was taken off for Trossard.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Lacked a serious goal threat but created Arsenal’s best chance with a delicious flick around the corner for Saka.
SUBS:
ETHAN NWANERI (ODEGAARD, 62) – 6
A few nice touches and turns, looking for that trademark left-footed curling finish.
JORGINHO (RICE, 62) – 6
Got on the ball as Arsenal’s primary dictator from deep.
THOMAS PARTEY (LEWIS-SKELLY, 68) – 5
Offered very little.
GABRIEL JESUS (MERINO, 68) – 5
One dangerous cross easily claimed by Pickford was about it.
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 74) – 6
A bright spark. A few good crosses as Young tired on the left.
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