Report: Arsenal 0-0 Everton

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Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Maanum, Mariona; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Williamson, Catley, Reid, Wälti, Kühl, Kafaji, Foord, Blackstenius

Arsenal have suffered a significant dent to their title aspirations, drawing 0-0 with Everton at home at the Emirates. After an insipid performance last week against Leicester City, the hope was that with no mid-week fixture, Arsenal’s performance levels would improve. That, however, didn’t happen, as Arsenal struggled to create any real clear-cut chances against Everton’s mid-block, with Arsenal really not playing with any intensity or creativity.

Jonas Eidevall made two changes to the team that beat Leicester last weekend. Mariona and Kim Little returned to the starting lineup, while Lia Wälti and Caitlin Foord dropped to the bench. Leah Williamson and Steph Catley also returned to the squad.

First Half

After twenty minutes of little incident, Mariona, Cooney-Cross, and Russo all combined with little touches to get Cooney-Cross into the box. She jinked away from one but her shot went wide of the near post.

Arsenal’s high press caused a turnover. Mariona intercepted Wheeler’s pass, and went for goal, with Brosnan saving.

Maanum would skip away from Finnigan and shoot from range, with Brosnan pushing her low shot away for a corner.

Sarri, who scored against Arsenal two years ago while playing for Birmingham, tested van Domselaar from range, her shot getting saved onto the crossbar. From the crossbar, McCabe cleared off the line.

At the other end, Fox’s shot from distance went just wide of the post following a corner.

Fox would then have another chance. After Little superbly won possession, McCabe was set away on the left and she crossed across the box. Fox ghosted in, but headed well wide.

Second Half

Arsenal controlled possession more than in the first half, but it still took 13 minutes to have a clear shot, with Maanum shooting from range. Her shot, though, was straight at Brosnan.

On 64 minutes, Arsenal made a triple substitution. Caitlin Foord replaced Emily Fox, Stina Blackstenius replaced Alessia Russo, and Leah Williamson replaced Lotte Wubben-Moy.

Arsenal were taking far too long in possession to play through Everton’s mid block, with players taking extra touches. And, even when Arsenal were able to get around the back, as Mead did, there was a lack of conviction in the final action, allowing Everton’s defenders to get back and snuff out the danger. Thus, when Mead got around the back and crossed, Mariona had to take an extra touch to settle the ball, allowing Heather Payne to clear.

On 77 minutes, Arsenal made a double substitution, with Catley replacing McCabe and Wälti replacing Cooney-Cross.

Mariona cut inside and shot, but her shot went off Wheeler and straight to Brosnan as Arsenal continued to struggle to create high quality chances. Maanum then had a shot blocked, as Everton defenders, seeing the chance for a point, threw themselves at the shot.

Catley crossed, Foord took it down and shot, and Brosnan pushed it away onto the bar as the clock hit 90. And, with the match into the first of four added minutes, Mariona crossed, but Blackstenius headed over. Mead then went down on the right and put in a good cross, but Blackstenius headed over again.

In the final seconds, Foord crossed, Everton cleared, and the whistle went.

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