Arsenal were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton on Saturday, a result that left many Gunners fans disappointed. Despite dominating the match in nearly every statistical category, the North London side failed to break down Everton’s stubborn defense. Arsenal controlled 77% of possession, created 13 shots on goal, and dominated the game in terms of pressure and territory, yet they were unable to convert their dominance into goals. Mikel Arteta, however, believes his team deserved all three points and pointed to several key reasons why they should have emerged victorious.
In a game that saw Arsenal fail to take full advantage of Liverpool’s own surprising slip-up against Fulham, Arteta remained optimistic about the performance, despite the lack of goals. Speaking after the match, the manager expressed his disappointment with the result but also highlighted the positives in the team’s performance. According to Arteta, Arsenal’s dominance over Everton should have translated into a win, and he outlined five key reasons why he felt his team were deserving of all three points.
Arsenal’s Dominance in Possession and Territory
The first reason Arteta believes Arsenal deserved to win was their complete control over possession and territory. The Gunners enjoyed a staggering 77% of possession throughout the match, a clear indication of their dominance. Arsenal’s high-pressing game forced Everton to sit deep in their own half, unable to break out or cause any significant problems for Arsenal’s defense. Everton, despite their defensive discipline, failed to register a single shot on goal, underscoring the effectiveness of Arsenal’s game plan.
“We gave nothing away, no shots conceded, dominated our play, not allowed them to run, no set pieces. High-press, excellent. We got them there,” Arteta said. The Gunners’ ability to completely stifle Everton’s attacking threat was a testament to their tactical discipline and dominance throughout the game. The fact that Arsenal were able to control the match in such a commanding fashion, even with Everton’s deep defensive setup, was a sign of their superiority on the day.
Unyielding Defensive Solidity
Arteta was also quick to point out that Arsenal’s defense was impenetrable throughout the match. Despite Everton’s best efforts to break on the counter-attack, they were unable to threaten Aaron Ramsdale’s goal, with the Toffees failing to register any shots on target. The defensive stability Arsenal showed, particularly against Everton’s long balls and occasional counters, was a crucial part of why Arteta felt his team deserved the win.
Arsenal’s defenders were solid, and the midfield worked tirelessly to break up any potential attacks before they could materialize. Arteta highlighted the efforts of his players to prevent Everton from finding any rhythm in attack, which further reinforced his belief that Arsenal were the superior side. “I feel very disappointed not to win the game, because, obviously, if there’s a team that deserved to win, there’s only one, which is Arsenal,” Arteta remarked.
High Pressing Game and Work Rate
Another reason Arteta emphasized was the relentless work rate of his players. Arsenal’s pressing game was highly effective, especially in the first half. The Gunners continually won back possession high up the pitch, forcing Everton to clear long balls or play under pressure. Arteta was particularly impressed with his players’ energy levels, especially given the demanding schedule they face with multiple games every week.
Arteta described the team’s collective effort as “unbelievable,” with players tracking back and covering massive distances to ensure Everton could not break out of their own half. “Every three days, 70 metres, all the team is going there. So very difficult to ask them something else because they want it,” he said. Despite the fact that Arsenal’s pressing didn’t yield goals, the intensity with which they applied pressure on Everton was another positive takeaway for Arteta.
Missed Opportunities in Front of Goal
Although Arsenal dominated possession and created chances, Arteta was quick to acknowledge that the final 20 meters – or the crucial moments in the attacking third – were where his team struggled. Arsenal created several good opportunities but were unable to convert them into goals. The lack of clinical finishing in key moments was frustrating for Arteta, who noted that the game could easily have ended 2-0 or 3-0 in Arsenal’s favor.
“We generated the chances, but the last 20 metres was missing to score goals, which is what you have to do with all the dominance,” Arteta said. It was clear that while Arsenal’s overall performance was positive, their inability to finish the chances they created was the major difference between a win and a frustrating draw. Arteta went on to admit that teaching players how to consistently finish chances in front of goal is one of the most difficult aspects of management. Despite this, he expressed confidence that his team’s attacking quality will eventually come through.
The Injustice of the Result
Finally, Arteta reflected on the emotional aspect of the result. Despite his team’s dominance, the 0-0 scoreline felt like an unfair outcome. Arteta believes that his team did everything right but was ultimately let down by the inability to capitalize on their numerous chances. “I mean, certainly, it’s not energy. When I see my team track-back, it’s unbelievable,” he said. His disappointment was clear, as Arsenal’s performance warranted a win, but the final result did not reflect their overall superiority in the match.
While the result left Arsenal with just one point, Arteta remained upbeat about his team’s performance and emphasized the need to continue working on their finishing. He was careful not to be overly critical of his players, understanding that the goals will come as long as they continue playing with the same intensity and focus.
Conclusion
In the end, while the 0-0 draw with Everton was a frustrating result for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta was confident that his team deserved all three points. The Gunners dominated possession, neutralized Everton’s attack, pressed high up the pitch, and created several chances, but their inability to finish meant they were held to a stalemate. Arteta’s belief in the quality of his team’s performance remains strong, and he is confident that with continued effort and improvement in the final third, Arsenal will soon see the results they deserve.
