Everton vs Arsenal: Instant Reaction

Headline: Arsenal make it boring, but three points are all that matter

Boring, Boring Arsenal,

Boring, Boring Arsenal,

Boring, Boring Arsenal.

The classic song was apt today. While watching I found myself with my mind wandering often in this match. Arsenal had all the ball but with Everton looking to clog the field there wasn’t a lot of space to operate into. Arsenal at times were able to get into the final third and dominated the field tilt but they didn’t have the cutting edge or players that looked like they were on the same wavelength.

Arsenal had 215 touches in the final third but only 31 touches in the box from that. Arsenal struggled to find clear openings (outside of the goal that was in my view rightly called offside). It was another day where it felt like the execution was lacking in the final ball. Maybe it was a touch harsh but with the overall tilt of the game the lack of ball progression is a touch concerning.

In the end, what matters is the three points, ending the hoodoo of Goodison Park over Arsenal and using the possession and control to keep Everton away from Arsenal’s goal for a clean sheet.

If this is a trend that keeps popping up I will start getting a little more nervous but I am not sure I am there quite yet

.This shot map isn’t pretty but it got the job done today.

Stock Rising: Fabio Vieira