Everton 1-1 Arsenal: 3 standout players from Goodison Park stalemate

Neither this match nor its outcome stirred the soul, but perhaps not much was to be expected from a game of such minor stakes.

Arsenal trekked to Merseyside with their title hopes all but gone and an eye cast on their Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Everton, meanwhile, are now *safe” from relegation and have only pride to play for in the coming weeks.

Still, the Gunners made a fast start here and took a deserved lead through a clinical Leandro Trossard strike just after the half hour (Raheem Sterling assist!). But that contrasted sharply with their careless second-half start, and a Toffees penalty, scored by Iliman Ndiaye, meant they had to settle for a share of the points.

Some players did stand out amid the drab affair, and here are three upon whom Mikel Arteta might reflect ahead of our European showdown on Tuesday.    

3 standout Arsenal performers from the 1-1 draw against Everton

1. William Saliba

Focus had turned to Jakub Kiwior as the Gabriel replacement (and he performed okay), but it was his teammate, William Saliba, who in fact stood tallest and assumed the lead role in a new-look Arsenal defence.

The Frenchman did not have much to do in fairness and faced an Everton attack which seemed leggy after their Anfield shift in midweek. Yet he still had a job to do and did it in style, reducing the in-form Beto to a peripheral role via his duel winning and composure on the ball, all while driving his own side up the pitch with a few inspired runs.          

It was a steady effort without being spectacular, but that was all the occasion demanded and it offers hope that Arsenal *might* still cope in the absence of Gabriel – the Real Madrid frontline will give us the ultimate test.

I suspect Kylian Mbappé is already losing sleep.     

2. Mikel Merino

Is there anything this man cannot do?

Okay, he did not set the world alight or even chip in with another goal, but Mikel Merino still enjoyed a solid outing at Goodison Park and reminded Arsenal fans of what he can offer from a more natural, midfield slot.

Many of his best/obvious traits were evident: spraying a few nice passes, winning the physical battles and being ultra composed in possession; the latter was especially useful to help keep Everton at bay and prevent them building any momentum.

However, Merino also won admirers thanks to his donkey work as he often found himself in the wars and required medical attention after a clash of heads, returning to the fray several moments later in bandages.

Those battle scars were almost complemented by a dramatic late winner but, unfortunately, he could only steer his header wide.

Even if his goalscoring streak is in the spotlight, this match showed how Merino can still be an asset for Arsenal when used as intended. One can expect him to return up top on Tuesday night but, more to the point, he could be a better midfield option for us next season after a difficult first year in the Premier League.      

3. Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli followed up his MotM effort vs Fulham with another bright display at Everton, catching the eye despite only appearing as a half-time substitute.

He continued where he had left off by running at the Toffees backline every chance he got and could have restored our lead late on – after beating Jake O’Brien one-vs-one, his powerful shot drew a fine save from Jordan Pickford.

Though his spark earned little reward, this performance – along with the Fulham game – suggest that Martinelli is finally rediscovering his form and you have a sense that one goal might just bring a boost of confidence which will see him flourish once again.

A Champions League quarter-final is the best place to start…

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!