Everton earned a deserved 1-1 draw against Arsenal in Saturday’s early Premier League kickoff, extending their strong form under David Moyes 2.0 while exposing the Gunners’ stuttering title credentials.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for Arsenal in the first half, slotting home coolly after a slick move initiated by Raheem Sterling.
However, Arsenal failed to build on their lead and were punished in the second half when Iliman Ndiaye converted a penalty following a chaotic sequence involving both David Raya and young substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The match was marred by poor quality, with referee Darren England mistakenly blowing the final whistle early—perhaps reflecting the general desire to end a dull encounter.
Everton players insisted on continuing, while Arsenal’s reaction was notably subdued.
Despite dominating possession, Arsenal lacked bite in the final third.
Their 75% share of the ball rarely translated into clear chances, as Everton’s rigid defense and tireless pressing suffocated any rhythm from Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners’ attacking stars, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, made little impact, with Everton closing down spaces effectively.
The result leaves Arsenal 11 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, whose momentum shows no sign of slowing.
For Everton, the point is valuable—they now sit 15 clear of the relegation zone and continue to be one of the league’s toughest sides to break down.
In a season of dwindling hopes for Arsenal, Goodison Park offered little beauty and even less belief.
