Arsenal: 4 Things We Learned From Everton Defeat

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Everton players celebrate following their team’s victory as Willian and Joe Willock of Arsenal(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Shoddy Starts No Sign of Spirit

Speaking after the match, Arteta highlighted the ‘spirit’ he sees in the side.

While that can be somewhat justified with the final flurry at the end, how can that be befitting of a side who are incapable of starting football matches on the front foot. The opening 25 minutes made for atrocious viewing, no player wanting the ball, no movement in the final third and not a sniff of spirit to be seen.

"“I see the spirit in the team. How they try, how they are willing to do the right things,” Arteta said, as quoted by football.london. “We controlled them really well, the counter attacks, a few options where we lost the ball inside which is impossible to control and then we start to get more and more dangerous in the final third.”"

Everton were not good. In fact, they were very poor on the night. Missing a host of key players, Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t have had too many complaints if his side had lost at Goodison Park.

Yet still they beat Arsenal.

Highlighting how his side ‘controlled’ Everton is a hollow claim. Everton invited pressure. Arsenal assumed dominance and failed to use it accordingly.

Given that, said spirit was handed to them on a plate. Which is unlike the opening stages, where the trend continued of flat, uninspired application. Where is the spirit then?

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