Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The result leaves the Gunners six points adrift of Liverpool, who also dropped points in their 2-2 draw with Fulham earlier in the day, but Arsenal failed to capitalize on the chance to reignite their title challenge.
The story of the match revolved around Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who delivered a masterclass in shot-stopping to deny the hosts on multiple occasions. In the first half, he thwarted a deflected shot from Martin Ødegaard, who had earlier squandered a promising chance by firing over the bar. Pickford then denied Gabriel Martinelli’s angled strike with a crucial save, keeping Everton firmly in the contest.
After the break, Pickford’s heroics continued as he produced a stunning reflex save to tip Bukayo Saka’s volley around the post, frustrating Arsenal’s relentless attempts to find a breakthrough. Despite dominating possession and piling on the pressure, the Gunners were met with fierce resistance from an Everton side buoyed by news that the Friedkin Group’s long-awaited takeover of the club is nearing completion. The visitors defended resolutely, repelling a flurry of corners in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought point.
For Arsenal, the result mirrored their struggles from the previous weekend at Craven Cottage, where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham. These back-to-back draws have seen Mikel Arteta’s side drop four points in two games, hampering their momentum as they try to keep pace in the title race.
The Gunners remain third in the table, a point behind Chelsea and six behind Liverpool, with both rivals holding a game in hand. Meanwhile, Everton’s resilience lifts them to 15th place on 15 points, providing a much-needed boost in their fight for survival.
