Arsenal 0-0 Everton: Match Recap & Instant Reaction | Dyche masterclass frustrates Gunners

12/14/2024 01:26 PM

A solid defensive team effort gives Blues another valuable point

Everton headed to London to visit on the back of an extended break resulting from the cancelled Merseyside Derby. Today's match was Sean Dyche's 500th league match as a manager. This is historically a poor one for Everton as they had won just two of their 32 Premier League matches at Arsenal.

In the half full department, the bounce from the 4-0 thumping of Wolves would have buoyed the team along with the fact that The Toffees had conceded a league-low eight goals since the beginning of gameweek five could have presented a glimmer of hope for the travelling Evertonians.

Team News

There's was just one change from the Wolves match, with Jack Harrison coming in for Dwight McNeil, who was not in the squad after a flare up of a knee issue. Everton were getting closer to a full complement of players with Nathan Patterson, Armando Broja and Seamus Coleman all included on the bench.

The big news was the inclusion of Gabriel at the heart of the defenders. Arsenal made three changes to the side that beat Monaco 3-0 in midweek. Gabriel was fit to start after injury with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber also coming in. Miles Lewis-Skelly kept his place in the side at left-back for his first Premier League start with Thomas Partey, Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Jesus dropping to the bench.

Match Recap

The match was played with tributes being paid to Kevin Campbell who was loved by both teams. Craig Pawson was the man in the middle as the match kicked off. Arsenal settled on the ball early and it looked like Everton were happy to sit back and play counter attacking football. It was clear that Everton needed to be disciplined and patient for the full 90 minutes plus.

Some nice pressing and a driving run from Mangala gave Doucoure a chance which was blocked by Partey after the midfielder hesitated. A first set piece was well defended and the chance for a counter attack was thwarted by Tarkowski. Arsenal's first corner was well cleared by Pickford. The Gunners had their first couple of chances when Ødegaard was left open at the top of the box but his shots were well over the top and just wide.

A questionable free kick for Arsenal was given by Pawson which riled the Everton players after a similar pull on Ndiaye was not given. The resulting free kick from Ødegaard was really well defended by Tarkowski. Arsenal's pressure was building.

Some nice holdup play from Calvert Lewin released the pressure and gave the Blues a couple of minutes of possession. Jordan Pickford was commanding his box when necessary and slowing the game down to allow some respite for his defenders. Bukayo Saka left Mykolenko and Branthwaite in the dust and his cutback to Ødegaard should have ended up in the back of the net but for a great block by Pickford.

A rare foray by Harrison got the Blues into arsenal's final third but that forced Everton to scramble back when they lost possession. Everton were finishing the half in a more positive way and a disappointing cross from Harrison thwarted the chance as one minute of added time was announced which went by without incident. The half ended and Everton had nullified the Arsenal attack very well.

The half started with Arsenal on the front foot and Pickford was called upon to make a super save. Merino and Tarkowski battled for a header in the box, and it fell to the feet of Saka. He struck the ball towards the bottom corner, but Pickford made an excellent save to palm it behind!

Saka was creating lots of trouble on the right side and his work was lifting the Arsenal supporters. The game appeared to be opening up a bit and some nice holdup play by Calvert Lewin had the travelling Evertonians in full voice. Saka and Ødegaard were creating havoc for the Everton backline but Pickford was standing tall as the hour mark was reached.

Mikel Arteta made the first move when Jorghino and Nwaneri were brought on for Rice and Ødegaard. A surprising move considering the impact the Arsenal captain was having going forward. Dyche decided to match the move and brought on Lindstrøm and Broja for Harrison and Calvert Lewin.

Merino and Lewis-Skelly were withdrawn with Partey and Jesus coming on to add to the Arsenal attack. Arsenal continued their patient buildup but Everton continued to thwart the Arsenal attempts to break through. Ashley Young was given the first yellow for blocking off Martinelli. Arteta made the final change by bringing on Trossard in place of Martinelli.

The final fifteen minutes arrived and the Gunners were starting to throw everything at the Everton goal. Pickford was given a yellow for delaying the game. Arsenal continued to press. Broja was then in the book for wasting time as he tried to slowly hand the ball over to Gabriel.

Some nice holdup play by Ndiaye just lacked support before Arsenal won the ball back. It was getting to squeaky bum time as each Arsenal attack was becoming more frantic as was Everton's defending. It was then Broja who was holding up play and a poor call by the assistant referee denied Everton a corner as the 87th minute started.

Partey went down in the box but there were no shouts from the Arsenal players. Four minutes of added time was announced and Craig Pawson held up play to check with VAR but it was deemed to be a good tackle by Mykolenko. The Evertonians raised their voices as Everton were given a late corner but the deep corner was easily handled by Raya.

The four minutes were finished and Pawson allowed the game to continue for another minute and a half before he blew the whistle to give Everton the valuable point.

Everton Man of the Match - Jordan Pickford - It would be easy to select the backline who pressured and harried every Arsenal player throughout the match. Gueye and Mykolenko did yeoman's work but the England number one made some great saves thoughout the match to keep the Gunners level. Pickford's command of his box and his marshalling of the backline thwarted Arsenal throughout.

Instant Reaction

This was Sean Dyche's 500th match as a manager and this would be considered the perfect Dyche match. Arsenal were stopped at every turn by the well organized plan. A low block with solid defending and some great saves from Pickford. It was a team victory and at the final whistle many of the players went to the travelling supporters to give away their shirts. Dyche would have been smiling and the point is much needed. We may not have had many chances to score but neither did Arsenal. Classic Dyche.

With Dwight McNeil sidelined and the need for Everton to play more defensively against the high scoring Gunners, the obvious shortage of players in the middle was problematic. Only Lindstrom was fit an available to play in the middle from the bench. As the match progressed and the legs were tiring Lindstrom replaced Harrison and the work that Dyche has been doing to build up the Danish midfielder paid off as he put in a good shift to stop the Arsenal attacks.

Jarrad Branthwaite was playing his fourth match in a row and his partnership with Tarkowski is beginning to solidify itself as it did last year. Today was a huge challenge for the backline and they stood tall. A sixth clean sheet in the past nine games and Everton's strong defensive play is leading the way.