Pain in the Arsenal
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3 talking points from Arsenal’s defeat at Goodison Park

By Toby Hill

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Partey of Arsenal is challenged by Idrissa Gueye of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Partey of Arsenal is challenged by Idrissa Gueye of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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3. An out-of-touch midfield

Arsenal were thwarted by Everton’s combative midfield. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal were thwarted by Everton’s combative midfield. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Dyche’s men encapsulated everything that he would have wanted from his midfield. Arteta’s? Not so much.

The midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard have been so key in Arsenal’s success this season that it feels almost odd writing this, but today they seemed off-pace and out of their usual rhythm.

Maybe it was the new manager bounce, maybe it was Arsenal’s annual trip to Goodison Park producing its usual difficulties, but whatever it was, Arsenal’s midfield didn’t seem as up for the affair as Everton’s was.

There is little reason to worry about this, though. Players will have off days, and this was one of those. All attention will be turned to the next Premier League match against Brentford next week, with one eye on Man City versus Tottenham on Sunday.

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