Arsenal Held by Resilient Everton as Liverpool Close in on Premier League Title

Arsenal ramped up the pressure in the final stages, with Ødegaard and stand-in striker Mikel Merino both squandering good chances from Kieran Tierney crosses. Despite controlling possession and chances, the Gunners couldn’t find the winner they desperately needed.

Liverpool, United Kingdom – Arsenal’s fading hopes of lifting their first Premier League title since 2004 suffered another blow on Saturday following a 1-1 draw against a determined Everton side at Goodison Park.

Leandro Trossard gave the visitors a first-half lead with a clinical finish, but Iliman Ndiaye’s second-half penalty ensured the points were shared, further widening the gap between the Gunners and league leaders Liverpool.

The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s men trailing Liverpool by 11 points, with the Reds still holding a game in hand. Jürgen Klopp’s side now require just 11 points from their remaining eight fixtures to clinch a historic 20th league title.

With one eye clearly fixed on their midweek UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Arteta made several changes to his starting lineup. Key players including Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, and the injured trio of Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus were all absent from the starting XI.

Despite the rotated squad, Arsenal dominated much of the first half. Their pressure eventually paid off when Trossard finished off a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Raheem Sterling, scoring his first league goal since January.

However, Arsenal’s recurring issues in front of goal once again proved costly. The North Londoners have struggled with goal conversion throughout the season, even when their full attacking lineup was available.

Arteta introduced Saka and Martinelli at the break in an attempt to inject more attacking threat, but Everton responded instantly. A foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison led to a penalty, which Ndiaye calmly converted after a lengthy VAR review, sending goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way.

Raya was called into action again soon after, making a crucial save to deny Abdoulaye Doucouré as Everton pushed for a winner.

Arsenal ramped up the pressure in the final stages, with Ødegaard and stand-in striker Mikel Merino both squandering good chances from Kieran Tierney crosses. Despite controlling possession and chances, the Gunners couldn’t find the winner they desperately needed.

The draw was a gritty result for Everton, who have now lost just once in their last 11 league outings—against Liverpool in a heated Merseyside derby earlier in the week. The point moves them up to 14th on the table, 15 points clear of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the outcome significantly strengthens Liverpool’s grip on the title race, with the red half of Merseyside grateful for their local rivals’ contribution