Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Everton

Positive #2: A necessary bit of squad rotation

Arteta's necessary gamble to reshuffle the pack before facing Los Blancos just about worked. Raheem Sterling provided a nice assist for Trossard during a generally solid first half from the forgotten wide man.

Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri made way after intermission, but it made sense to give more playing time to Saka and a resurgent Gabriel Martinelli. Both looked sharp ahead of Arsenal's biggest game in years.

Elsewhere, Benjamin White kept Jurrien Timber out of the fray for just over an hour. It was a welcome rest for the gifted right-back, who took a knock during the 2-1 midweek win over Fulham.

There was also something pleasing about Jorginho getting a rare start. Even though the 33-year-old pass master was far from his usually effective self. At least he afforded Arteta's preferred muscle man, Thomas Partey, a rest.

Odegaard's extended breather didn't do Arsenal anywhere near as much good, but keeping the Norwegian fully focused on a reunion with Real still had merit.

Making full use of his squad has hardly been a stength of Arteta's, and this result proves Arsenal could use better squad depth. Hopefully, some value of remixing the ranks rubbed off on the gaffer.

If so, Arteta should consider taking oa rising but erratic star out of the firing line.

Negative #2: Myles Lewis-Skelly Struggling

There's nothing wrong with the way Lewis-Skelly plays the game when he's on the ball. The teenager is technically proficient, physically adept and forward thinking.

Lewis-Skelly showed off these traits with some powerful runs at Goodison Park, but unfortunately, he also showed the other side of his game. This side is defined by rash decision-making and clumsy action.

Both of those things showed up when Lewis-Skelly brought down Harrison. The latter was only too willing to taste the turf, and the 50-50 duel could be said to have descended while both players were still outside the box, but the exchange still highlighted Lewis-Skelly's shortcomings.

Simply put, he's no defender. Instead, the Hale End graduate is still an attack-minded player trying to play against his natural instincts.

Letting this uhealthy dynamic continue could be harmful to Lewis-Skelly's overall development. Arsenal have successfully refined a forward fledgling into a complete left-back before, in the case of a certain Ashley Cole, but there are differences between his situation and that of Lewis-Skelly.

The chief difference involves Lewis-Skelly not being exposed to the same wealth of defensive acumen Cole had at his disposal. Being surrounded by Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon would make any young player a better defender, but Lewis-Skelly plays in a different time, even in something of a different game.

Better for Arteta to start the process of moving Lewis-Skelly into a natural midfield spot and relying on Riccardo Calafiori (when fit) to play left-back.

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