Arsenal: 4 Things We Learned From Everton Defeat

Arsenal slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. Here’s what we learned.

Since beating Manchester United at Old Trafford seven league matches ago, Arsenal have claimed two points from a possible 21. Defeat to Everton on Saturday ensured it was the Gunners’ worst start to a season since the 1974/75 campaign.

Did anyone expect any different?

Aiming to steady the ship, Arsenal have returned to a back three setup leaning strongly towards a defensive five, the old guard approach that saw Mikel Arteta navigate his way through some tough fixtures and end up with a trophy to boot.

That system made for an exceedingly tame start to Saturday’s match, with Arsenal content to soak up pressure and keep things tight. Said pressure wasn’t too telling with Everton relatively poor on the night, finding their opening via the thigh of Rob Holding.

Nicolas Pepe converted from the spot after Ainsley Maitland-Niles had been fouled in the box, but hopes of going into the break level were dashed when the Toffees capitalised on some weak defending to nod themselves in front.

An improvement in the second half occurred with a change of shape, but for all Arsenal’s meagre huffing and puffing they were unable to alter the scoreline, sitting glumly in 15th place with four wins from 14 matches. A whole 14 points.

Here’s what we learned.

Mikel Arteta Will Not Yield

How many more signs do you need? On how many more occasions must a rancid performance breed the same result before the penny drops?

Non-negotiables have already been cast aside in favour of stature; meritocracy banished for the size of pay cheque.

Willian put in one of the single most insipid displays in the first half of Goodison Park, so much so that any Arsenal fan of a right mind would have hauled him off before the break. No running, desire or care in anything he did, that outing was another fine example of the senior troupe ridding themselves of accountability.

He remained on the pitch for the whole match, moving infield, offering little more.

Players such as Emile Smith Rowe – the only profile matching exactly what Arsenal need in this team – and William Saliba can’t even get a sniff. How on earth the ‘experienced’ members of this squad are continuously granted the freedom to fall way below the standard required while others cut forlorn figures on the bench is as infuriating as it is baffling.

That’s on the manager.

Midfielders Have Had Their Moment

Mohamed Elneny was, rightly, heralded for his superb display at Old Trafford, one unlike any he’s ever put in since being in north London.

Following that he continued to play to a high enough standard that was well beyond his capability, a period that could never be sustained across a whole season. No fan was disillusioned and firmly of the belief that Elneny was the answer to Arsenal’s midfield long-term, but as a backup option he could have at least pulled his weight in the midst of weak recruitment.

That spell of playing half-well is now seemingly up, as it is for Dani Ceballos.

Ceballos’ case differs as his best spell for the club came at the tail-end of last season, none of which has been evident this campaign.

Nothing he does boasts enough quality to have a meaningful impact, from pressing to passing or in terms of attacking contributions. What’s more, his attitude has gone from the fighting spirit we saw last term into a more petulant, hot-headed manner this season.

Could easily, and probably should, have been sent off, too.

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?

Gabriel Martinelli Waltzes Into This Side

It’s quite damning that Nicolas Pepe was the most likely source of a goal on Saturday, this despite not being…very good.

There were a few decent moments from him, he got his goal, but it’s the best of a bad bunch scenario which is a complete encapsulation of where this team is.

Willian has had one shot on target all season – which came eight minutes into the opening day – Saka is being forced to drop deeper to start attacks, none of the strikers could hit a barn door with a banjo and there is zero goal threat from anyone in midfield.

You do worry that Gabriel Martinelli is being rushed back too soon having only played 45 minutes for the Under-23’s. Unfortunately, his presence is exactly what this forward line cries out for. Someone with the personality to assume responsibility, be direct in their manner and just attempt something out of the ordinary.

Rip the team up and start again with anyone else, but ensure that whoever is in that frontline is 19  years of age and comes from Brazil.

Albeit short, his cameo offered an immediate insight into how much better the attack can be with him involved. Calling for the ball, running in behind, coming short and being aggressive, his influence was greater in that 20-minute spell than most of the players combined.