Arsenal 0-0 Everton: 3 Things We Learned from Another Stalemate

Arsenal’s inability to break down Everton’s compact defensive setup resulted in a frustrating 0-0 draw at home. Despite controlling possession, building play patiently, and maintaining defensive solidity, familiar issues persisted. The team struggled to penetrate centrally, lacked speed in transition, and failed to test Jordan Pickford consistently. This review highlights three critical areas where Arsenal fell short while acknowledging positives such as defensive organization and individual efforts.

Breaking Down Everton’s Low Block Remains a Problem

Everton executed a disciplined low block that Arsenal found difficult to break through. Sean Dyche’s side defended deep in a 4-5-1 structure, prioritizing central compactness and crowding Arsenal’s key playmakers. Arsenal dominated possession, completing 698 passes with a completion rate of 91.8%, but Everton’s organization meant that much of this play occurred in less threatening zones.

Central Stagnation

The lack of central penetration was the clearest issue. Kai Havertz began as the central forward but struggled to impose himself in advanced areas. Havertz often dropped deep to assist buildup, leaving Arsenal without a focal point in the box to challenge Everton’s center-backs. This forced the team to focus on wide buildup play, but with limited success.

• Havertz’s Performance:
  • Passes: 27 (92.6% accuracy)
  • Progressive passes: 2 (-37.7m net)
  • Key passes: 2 (0.14 xA).
  • Shots: 1 (0.06 xG).

When Gabriel Jesus replaced Havertz in the second half, he brought more direct runs and intent. However, Jesus looked off the pace and failed to provide the sharpness Arsenal needed centrally.

• Jesus’ Contribution:
  • Passes: 9 (77.8% accuracy)
  • Progressive passes: 1 (59.8m)
  • Progressive carries: 1 (-4.4m)
  • Shots: 2 (0.17 xG).

The absence of a sustained central threat meant Everton’s defensive shape remained intact. Playmakers like Martin Ødegaard drifted wider to find space, but this limited his ability to dictate play in dangerous areas.

• Ødegaard’s Performance:
  • Passes: 45 (80% accuracy)
  • Progressive passes: 4 (230.2m total).
  • Key passes: 0 from open play.

Slow Transition Play Allowed Everton to Recover Shape

Another recurring issue was the pace of Arsenal’s transition from defense to attack. When winning possession, Arsenal often took too long to transition forward, allowing Everton to reset their defensive lines. One notable moment occurred late in the game when David Raya won possession and quickly looked for a forward outlet, but no Arsenal players made runs into space, forcing play to reset.

Arsenal completed 86.2% of their final third passes but struggled to create chances from these areas. Much of the buildup lacked urgency, and Everton’s midfield trio comfortably tracked Arsenal’s predictable passing patterns.

• Final Third Passing:
  • Passes completed: 202.
  • Key passes: 3.
  • Crosses attempted: 26.

The reliance on wide crosses exposed Arsenal’s lack of variety in attack. Everton’s center-backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite handled high balls with ease, winning 11 aerial duels combined. Arsenal’s 26 crosses resulted in 0 xG Assisted, highlighting their ineffectiveness.

Martinelli’s Ineffective Performance

On the left, Gabriel Martinelli struggled to beat Ashley Young in one-on-one situations. While he attempted to create openings, his dribbles were largely unsuccessful, and he lacked quality passing options centrally.

• Martinelli’s Data:
  • Passes: 29 (82.8% accuracy).
  • Progressive passes: 1 (188.7m).
  • Dribbles: 0/4 successful.
  • Shots: 2 (0.12 xG).

Martinelli’s tendency to slow down play when isolated allowed Everton to regroup, limiting Arsenal’s threat from his flank. To compound this, Ødegaard and Ethan Nwaneri frequently drifted too wide, reducing Arsenal’s ability to operate in the critical half-spaces.

Lack of Central Penetration: A Recurring Issue

Arsenal’s inability to combine in central areas was the most significant limitation of their attack. With Havertz dropping deeper and Jesus unable to influence play effectively when introduced, Arsenal lacked presence in front of Everton’s goal.

Everton’s midfield duo of Abdoulaye Doucouré and Idrissa Gueye did well to screen passes into dangerous zones, forcing Arsenal’s buildup wide. Despite dominance in possession and field tilt, Arsenal managed only 1.3 xG from 15 shots, with few high-quality opportunities.

• Shot Map:
  • Shots: 15.
  • Shots on target: 4.
  • xG per shot: 0.09.

The lack of effective combinations or quick passing through central areas highlights a tactical issue that has plagued Arsenal in previous matches against low blocks. Ødegaard’s and Havertz’s deeper positions further exacerbated the problem, creating a disconnect between midfield buildup and final-third execution.

Comparison of Central and Wide Influence

Arsenal’s reliance on wide areas was clear:

• Final Third Passes:
  • Wide channels: 65% of passes.
  • Central zones: 35% of passes.

In contrast, Everton attempted only 7 progressive passes, reinforcing how little they threatened going forward. This made Arsenal’s inability to capitalize on their dominance all the more frustrating.

Extra Time – the Positives: Defensive Solidity and Key Performances

While Arsenal’s attack underperformed, their defensive display was strong. The partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel effectively nullified Everton’s limited attacking threat. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was isolated for most of the match, managing just 1 shot and contributing 0.07 xG.

• Saliba’s Performance:
  • Passes: 107 (95.3% accuracy).
  • Progressive carries: 9 (205.5m).
  • Defensive actions: 11 ball recoveries and 2 clearances.
• Gabriel’s Performance:
  • Passes: 95 (93.7% accuracy).
  • Progressive passes: 3 (801m).
  • Tackles: 4/3 successful.

Bukayo Saka also excelled both offensively and defensively. He completed 4 progressive passes and contributed 0.59 xA, while also winning 2 successful tackles and recovering possession 4 times.

• Saka’s Data:
  • Passes: 48 (77.1% accuracy).
  • Key passes: 2 (0.59 xA).
  • Progressive carries: 15 (186.9m).

Arsenal’s clean sheet was a bright spot, with Everton generating 0.1 xG from open play. Maintaining defensive discipline at home is a step in the right direction, especially considering Arsenal’s struggles in this area last season.

Opportunities for Improvement

1. Improved Central Penetration: Havertz must hold a higher position to occupy defenders and open space for Ødegaard. Jesus, once fit, needs to deliver more impactful link-up play and direct runs behind the defense.
2. Quicker Transitions: Arsenal must commit more players to forward runs immediately after winning possession. Players need to anticipate opportunities in transition, as demonstrated by Raya’s late-game release attempt.
3. Variety in Attacking Play: High crosses should be minimized against physical defenses. Arsenal must incorporate low, cutback crosses and combinations through central areas to create higher-quality chances.
4. Left-Sided Playmaking: Arsenal’s left flank lacked creativity. A more dynamic approach with quicker decisions and better support for Martinelli is needed to unlock stubborn defenses.

Conclusion

Arsenal’s dominance in possession and defensive organization were notable, but their inability to break down Everton’s low block exposed recurring issues. The slow transition play and lack of central penetration made Arsenal predictable, while ineffective wide buildup allowed Everton to defend comfortably. Improvements in attacking variety, forward runs, and positional discipline are essential if Arsenal are to overcome these challenges against deep-lying defenses.

While there are positives to build on—such as the Saliba-Gabriel partnership, Saka’s performance, and a clean sheet—Arsenal must address their attacking shortcomings to remain competitive in tighter matches.