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

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts as he leaves after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 6, 2021. - Everton won the game 2-1. - 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 Paul ELLIS / 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. / 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 PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Thomas Partey of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /

3. What is Wrong With Thomas Partey?

Arsenal’s midfield dynamo has been off his form lately. Miles off.

On numerous occasions against Everton, Partey was caught on the ball and dispossessed with alarming ease. That is something that we are not used to seeing, but have grown painfully accustomed to of late.

And then when he wasn’t being dispossessed, he was giving the ball away in uncharacteristic fashion, one of which between himself and Tavares led to Everton’s equalizer. That passage of play from the throw-in was laughably bad. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.

A heap of questions have to be asked of Partey as he was given a free ride to start his Arsenal career due to injuries, but now, it seems he is following some of his teammates into mediocrity. Labeling his time at Arsenal as a ‘4/10’ so far turned out to be some kind of foreshadowing for Monday’s events.

Most frustrating of all is that the quality is there from the Ghanaian. He has the ability. Of late though, his performances have been frighteningly off the level required. If he isn’t in form, Arsenal don’t just suffer, they suffer badly.

That was all laid painfully bare against Everton.

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