Everton 2-1 Arsenal: 4 talking points from Goodison horror show

Arsenal has slumped to their second consecutive defeat after a 2-1 loss to Everton at Goodison Park.

Richarlison thought he had given the hosts the lead just before half-time with a guided header, only for VAR to stop the celebrations short after he was found to be stood offside.

Martin Odegaard then put Arsenal ahead late in the first half with a well-taken finish after neat build-up play finished with Kieran Tierney whipping in a fine delivery. The goal was one of only two touches the Gunners had in the Toffees’ penalty area in the first half.

Despite the lead, Arsenal never looked even remotely threatening as the game trudged along in uninspiring fashion.

Everton 2-1 Arsenal: 4 talking points from Goodison Park horror show as Mikel Arteta’s side slump to Premier League defeat

Richarlison thought he’d leveled matters after the break only for VAR to deny him once again, but he wasn’t to be denied a third time.

Reacting quickest in the box after a shot cannoned off the crossbar, there was no VAR to spare Arsenal blushes on this occasion. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, Demarai Gray stuck a stunning late winner in off the post to send the home fans into ecstasy.

Overall, the performance from Arsenal was as atrocious as it could have been, and it is becoming a theme now for Mikel Arteta whose seat is getting ever so warmer.

Here are the talking points.

1. Mikel Arteta’s Horrific Game Management

The Spaniard had another poor game in the dugout. His substitutions were beyond odd. Taking Tierney off in the 65th minute was certainly because of his lack of match fitness, however, he was one of the team’s biggest threats going forward.

Then it was Gabriel Martinelli, who came off with 20 minutes to go. With Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench, Arteta instead decided to go for Eddie Nketiah who just a few days prior had rejected a new contract with the club.

Someone not deemed the standard required to even be on the bench for most of the season was brought on out of position in a bid to turn the tide. There is little logic to draw from it.

Clearly, Pepe or Aubameyang would have been far better options but again, Arteta made another confusing decision. To top it off, with six minutes in normal time to go, Aubameyang was brought on. Too little too late as Arsenal was chasing the game. All the while Xhaka and Partey were left to blow their lungs out.

The question marks surrounding Arteta’s game management have been around since he took over, and after this game those same questions are developing into serious unrest among the Arsenal fanbase.

Continued on next page…