LITTLE CHEER FOR DECIDER CRANKS
THAT target on Mikel Arteta’s chest is getting bigger and bigger as the Arsenal boss struggles to add points to their meagre Premier League tally. “Hit me,” he has implored any disgruntled Gooners unhappy with his management skills, following an annus horribilis in which – despite winning the FA Cup – they find themselves languishing in 15th position in the Premier League.
After yet another setback against an Everton side moving in the opposite direction, it’s a case of forming an orderly queue as social media indicates there is a clamour to end his Emirates reign.
It’s now seven Premier League games without a win as he wakes up this morning on the first anniversary of his appointment.
It’s also 12 months in the Everton hot seat for Carlo Ancelotti but what a difference he has made, with his side leaping into second place.
Arteta had been back on familiar territory geographically but not as far as the league table is concerned – closer to the bottom than the top.
Hugely admired and liked during his time as a player at Everton, it’s the popularity contest at the Emirates that is his prime concern right now.
Everton, with two impressive back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Leicester, had begun with confidence and spirit sensing that a nervy Arsenal were there for the taking.
The Gunners were also without Pierre-emerick Aubameyang through a calf problem.
Maybe that prompted Michael Keane to forget his defensive duties to move forward and take aim from 25 yards, a stinging drive whistling past Bernd Leno’s right-hand post. But after 21 minutes they did take the lead owing to a touch of misfortune for Arsenal’s stand-in skipper Rob Holding.
The assist was made in North
London, former Gunner Alex Iwobi – whose £35 million move to Merseyside has often been questioned by many Everton fans – lighting the fuse with a cross aimed at Dominic Calvert-lewin.
But the in-form striker’s glancing header was going wide only to skim off Holding’s body and nestle in the back of the net. It might not have added to his 11-goal Premier League haul but that didn’t numb the celebrations.
Not that they lasted too long as a moment of madness from Tom
Davies saw Arsenal draw level through a Nicolas Pepe penalty.
In attempting to hack clear in a crowded box, he missed the ball and took out Ainsley Maitland-niles, giving referee Andre Marriner the easiest of spot-kick decisions.
Up stepped Pepe, seeking redemption for his sending off against Leeds United, to send
Jordan Pickford the wrong way.
But before Arteta could disappear down the tunnel, a suspect Gunners defence once again went missing. Gylfi Sigurdsson swung over a corner and the only movement came from Yerry Mina, who rose highest to direct his header past Leno from six yards.
The Gunners almost levelled in the 53rd minute, Pickford’s weak punch from a Willian cross finding David Luiz, whose effort was deflected onto the post by
Abdoulaye Doucoure. But as against Chelsea a week earlier here Everton have proved that they can slip into their working overalls and dig in when needed.
No one could fault Arsenal’s determination but although they couldn’t breach Everton’s defences, Willock went close with a header and Pickford denied Bukayo Saka.
OPENER: Rob Holding scores an own goal as Calvert-lewin (left) watches