SAN FRANCISCO, December 19, (THEWILL) – English Premier League club Arsenal again failed to arrest the slide in results as their dismal Premier League form continued when Everton claimed a 2-1 victory over the Gunners to keep the pressure on Manager Mikel Arteta.
In the absence of injured captain and team striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal slumped further and have now gone seven league games without a win.
Everton began confidently and Michael Keane almost broke the deadlock in the 14th minute firing just inches away from the goal post. In the 22nd minute, the goal came when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header from Alex Iwobi’s cross diverted in off Holding for an own goal.
Arsenal’s real first chance came to Eddie Nketiah from a Kieran Tierney cutback, but the striker sliced wide and the opportunity went to waste. However, central midfielder Tom Davies’ blind challenge on Ainsley Maitland-Niles handed the Gunners a lifeline.
Penalty responsibilities fell on Pepe’s shoulders and he took it responsibly, sending Pickford the wrong way with a cool finish. It was the sixth straight successful penalty for the Ivorian.
A remarkable save from Bernd Leno to deny Calvert-Lewin resulted in a corner and kept the scores level briefly as Everton restored their lead when defender Jerry Mina headed in from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s subsequent corner.
Arsenal resumed play resolutely after the interval, with David Luiz hitting the upright after Pickford flapped at a cross. Right back Ben Godfrey’s powerful run nearly resulted in a third for Everton via Calvert-Lewin, before Richarlison went close to teeing up Iwobi though no further goals came.
The Gunners brought on Gabriel Martinelli in the 70th minute. Yet, their best chance did not come until the dying seconds when Pickford kept out Bukayo Saka’s low drive to seal Arsenal’s eighth league defeat of the season with little consolation in sight.
Carlo Ancelotti will mark a year at the helm with his team in second place five points off leaders Liverpool while, should Brighton and Hove Albion beat Sheffield United on Sunday, Arsenal could slide further downward from 15th.
Arsenal next face another of Arteta’s old teams in the form of Manchester City on Tuesday in the EFL Cup quarter-final action, a day before Everton host Manchester United in the same competition.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
