Arsenal already faint Premier League title hopes took another blow on Saturday evening as Iliman Ndiaye’s second-half penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Everton at Goodison Park. Despite taking the lead through Leandro Trossard, the Gunners failed to capitalise on their dominance and left Merseyside with only a point.
The stalemate leaves Mikel Arteta’s side trailing league leaders Liverpool by 11 points, with the Reds still to play Fulham on Sunday — a game that could see them move 14 points clear at the summit.
Arsenal looked sharp early on, and their pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Raheem Sterling pounced on a defensive lapse to feed Trossard, who clinically drove the ball into the far corner past Jordan Pickford. The Belgian nearly doubled his tally just before the break, but Pickford produced a fine save to keep Everton within touching distance.
Arteta made several changes to rotate his squad ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. The likes of Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli were not in the starting XI, while fringe players like Sterling and Jakub Kiwior stepped up admirably.
Ndiaye’s Penalty Pegs Arsenal Back
Everton came out with more intensity in the second half and were awarded a penalty shortly after the restart, which Ndiaye calmly slotted home. The goal re-energised the Toffees, who have been tough to beat at home, and they held firm despite Arsenal’s late pressure.
Mikel Merino headed wide and Martinelli, who came on in the second half, forced a brilliant save from Pickford as Arsenal pushed for a winner.
The draw means Arsenal have now missed the opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool and must realistically now pivot their ambitions toward Europe. Their Champions League tie against Real Madrid is shaping up to be the most important fixture of their season.
Still, Arteta can take heart from the performance. His team extended their unbeaten away run in the Premier League to 11 games, with just one loss in their last 21 top-flight outings.
Everton Holding Their Own
For Sean Dyche’s Everton, the result was a welcome response after their derby loss to Liverpool. They climb to 14th place and continue a solid home run, now unbeaten in six consecutive Premier League matches at Goodison Park.
Next up, Everton head to Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal prepare for the high-stakes visit of Real Madrid to the Emirates on Tuesday night before facing Brentford next weekend.
The Gunners may have seen their domestic hopes take a hit, but with European glory still within reach, the season is far from over.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
