Mikel Arteta praises ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal after frustrating stalemate

LONDON – Mikel Arteta praised his “unbelievable” Arsenal team, despite the frustration of a 0-0 draw against Everton on a day when English Premier League leaders Liverpool also dropped points.

A week after they failed to win at Fulham in a 1-1 stalemate, the Gunners could again manage just one point, as Sean Dyche’s Toffees held on for a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Dec 14.

Arteta’s men remain six points behind Liverpool (36) having played a game more, with the 10-man Reds twice coming from behind in a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

The Gunners, Premier League runners-up for the past two seasons, are also a point behind Chelsea, who host Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Dec 15 – that match kicked off after press time.

Arsenal enjoyed 77 per cent of possession and a total of 13 shots, but could not find the breakthrough against an Everton side who defended resolutely and had only two shots in the entire game.

“We’re very disappointed not to win the game because if there was only one team obviously that deserved to win it, that was Arsenal,” insisted Arteta.

“We did everything that was necessary overall, apart from the fact that we didn’t score a goal. We conceded absolutely nothing, dominated all the direct play, didn’t allow them to run and conceded no set pieces.

“We created three or four big chances, didn’t score from there... at the end you want to be rewarded for what you’ve done and the difficulty is that we haven’t tonight.”

Asked what he feels could be improved despite their dominant performance, the Spaniard said: “It’s all the moments that we need to have a little more composure and more quality in those moments, that’s normal. That’s it.

“Tracking back? Unbelievable. Putting in the high press? Unbelievable. Dominating a lot of things? Unbelievable.

“But the disappointing thing is that you want to come away winning after what you’ve done on the pitch.”

Everton kept the north London club off the score sheet by swarming them every time they got near the penalty area, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a string of excellent saves.

“Credit to them (Everton) as well, how they block shots, to Pickford for the saves that he’s made, the way they defend,” Arteta added.

The Arsenal boss made a double substitution in the second half, removing captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice and bringing on Jorginho and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in midfield.

Arteta said Rice’s substitution was forced, adding: “With Declan I had to take him out because he was feeling something, a niggle.

“With Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm, especially on that side. I understand if Ethan comes in and scores the goal it’s a great sub, but if he doesn’t you (shouldn’t) have taken your captain out. That’s football.

“I’m sure they want to continue to play the 90 minutes, but that’s why we have the subs to try to help the team.”

Arsenal next host Crystal Palace in a League Cup quarter-final on Dec 18, before travelling across London to take on the same opponents in a league clash on Dec 21. 

Liverpool are also in the quarters and they travel to Southampton on the same day.

Dyche, meanwhile, was happy his team left the Emirates Stadium – where Arsenal are unbeaten all season – with a point.

“You have to know how to work it without the ball. It’s difficult at these grounds to think you’ll have the ball. You have to do the other things well,” the Englishman said.

“They’re a fine side, we know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics, pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes – I was proud of the players.

“They (Arsenal) were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were. It’s another step in the right direction.” AFP, REUTERS