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…

2. Granit Xhaka and Tierney’s Returns Are Serviceable

Both made the return to the starting side against Everton and, in fairness, made a decent fist of it. For Tierney, he was Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking outlet and provided the assist for Martin Odegaard’s goal in the first half.

Clearly lacking sharpness, he nonetheless continued whipping in dangerous deliveries and was the best attacking outlet for the Gunners on the night.

One can presume he was taken off due to his lack of game time, but he still had time to show what he can do going forward.

As for Xhaka, his return was serviceable, at least for someone returning one month ahead of schedule. One visibly noticeable trait was attempts to progress the ball, mainly in the second half. He was always looking for a decisive pass to get the team moving forward.

The Swiss made several well-needed interceptions on the night as he partnered with Thomas Partey in the heart of the midfield, including several tackles to win the ball back. However, he was clearly dead on his feet after around 60 minutes and keeping him on the pitch was another foolish mistake by the manager.

Continued on next page…

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.

Continued on next page…

4. VAR Plays a Huge Role

Say what you want about VAR, but tonight it left a lot to be desired. Richarlison had two goals chalked off for offside with the second only millimeters off, but it was not the disallowed goals that stood out.

There were two challenges that should have been red cards – with nothing given in either. Not even yellow cards.

First, it was Ben Godfrey who clearly stamped on Takehiro Tomiyau’s face in the first half. Accident or not, albeit incredibly hard to argue it wasn’t, it was a red card offense every day of the week. Commentary teams and onlookers in abundance were left flabbergasted.

Then in the second half, a late challenge from Anthony Gordon saw him go high with his studs up on Nuno Tavares, yet he too was let off the hook. VAR did not even look at the incident.

Both were perfect examples of situations where the red card would have been like lightning coming out of Martin Atkinson’s pocket if the number on the back of the offender was No. 34.

Two decisions that cost Arsenal dearly. Does it excuse the performance? Not at all. But the atrocious VAR decisions against this team are piling up.