Arsenal: 4 things we have to see from Arteta’s side vs Everton

What angers most about the Manchester United defeat was arguably the performance, not the result. Arsenal were the victims of their own downfall.

Losing the game stings. Of course it does. This was an fantastic opportunity to break into the top four and put an eight-point breathing space between themselves and the Red Devils. They bottled it, as they so often do when the opportunity arises, making mistake after mistake when victory was there for the taking.

Anyone can lose a match away at a team with Cristiano Ronaldo and two England internationals in attack. It can happen. It’s that it didn’t need to happen which is why this loss will hurt and continue to hurt more than any others suffered this season.

But Arsenal are still fifth. Tottenham are closing in with them sitting just one point behind and boasting a game in hand, with United now just two points adrift, but Arsenal are still fifth. That hasn’t changed ahead of Everton.

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4 improvements we have to see from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side when they take on Everton in the Premier League at Goodison Park

As much as the Old Trafford debacle was a bitter pill to swallow, it was informally understood that teething issues were inevitable in a side younger than any other squad in the Premier League. If there is any solace to take the it’s that the problems within this team are clearly laid out.

There is no uncertainty as to why Arsenal are falling short in certain departments. It’s all about finding ways to solve that and there has to be signs of that against Everton.

Mikel Arteta does not escape without criticism at all. He assembled this young crop of players and getting them as close to competitive as he can is his job. A European berth is still firmly on the cards but there have to be improvements to see this pursuit continue on through the festive period.

Coming up against a beleaguered Toffees side without a win in eight matches and missing key players, there are no excuses. Arsenal have to win and there is plenty we need to see from the side to help secure the three points.

1. Positive Starting Lineup

Fielding Mohamed Elneny at Old Trafford stank of negativity. It’s irrelevant whether or not he played half-decent on the day, as any Arsenal team that heads out with him is making a statement of intent before a ball is even kicked.

On paper, the decision hinted at giving Partey a freer role in midfield but it did not play out like that. The indication Arteta gave was that we would be happy to leave with a point.

How he goes about being positive in this one could be to ditch the Elneny idea and move Sambi straight back into midfield alongside Partey. Everton are in freefall and just like Manchester United they are there to be attacked from every available angle. They’re in a relegation scrap as it stands.

Goodison Park was as toxic as any supporter will have remembered at the full-time whistle against Liverpool. Vociferous calls for the board and owners to leave were followed up by anger directed at Benitez and the players. It is not a nice play to be at the moment, so let that continue.

Put out a positive team from the off and get at them.

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