Arsenal struggles as set-piece dominance fails to translate into open play goals
- Arsenal controlled the match with 77% possession but failed to find the net against Everton.
- The home team missed an opportunity to reduce the gap with league leaders Liverpool, who also drew.
- Arsenal's struggles to score raise concerns about their effectiveness in open play.
In their recent Premier League match held at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal faced off against Everton on December 14, 2024. Despite maintaining 77% possession and creating several chances, the home team was unable to capitalize, resulting in a frustrating 0-0 draw. Arsenal, currently third in the league standings with 30 points from 16 games, missed the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, who were also held to a draw that day. Everton, positioned 15th in the table, managed to snap a three-match losing streak and kept Arsenal off the scoresheet through disciplined defending. Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya maintained a clean sheet without needing to make significant saves during the game. Still, he expressed disappointment in the lack of scoring despite the team's dominance. Mikel Arteta made tactical changes in the second half, bringing on fresh legs to regain momentum, but the Gunners struggled to find a way through Everton's defense. The visit of Everton proved challenging as they effectively swarmed Arsenal players whenever they neared the penalty area, reflecting their commitment to defensive tactics. The Everton manager Sean Dyche praised his team's performance, emphasizing their hard work without the ball and effective pressing that thwarted Arsenal's attacking efforts. Arsenal's attacking players, including Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, were involved in efforts to break through but fell short due to Everton's solid defensive setup and crucial saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The match's conclusion left Arsenal feeling disappointed, especially after Liverpool’s slip-up earlier in the day, giving them the chance to gain ground in the title race. As Arsenal looks to build on their performance, they acknowledge the need to be more lethal in open play, as they currently rank mid-table for goals scored from open play in the Premier League this season. The focus now shifts to future matches, where they will work on creating more chances and converting them to maintain their title aspirations.