The end result is not what anyone expected except for Sean Dyche and his Everton team.
Even though the Gunners controlled most of the ball throughout the match, Arsenal was unable to penetrate a very stout and tenacious Everton defense. The men in blue kept coming and coming, and never seemed to tire.
Let’s put this game to bed but remember the rest of this season will not be an easy ride for Mikel Arteta and his lads. Obviously, as we saw today, the Gunners will face a few bumps and bruises along the way. If there is a any lesson to be learned from Saturday’s match at Goodison Park, it is that no team can be overlooked, and that every Premier League side will be gunning for the Gunners.
Arteta on Saturday’s 1-0 defeat…
“I think Everton were really good and we have to congratulate them first for the way they have turned things around. I think they won the game because they were really efficient. From our side, [we’re] disappointed because obviously we didn’t get the result that we wanted but the performance doesn’t reflect what we’ve been doing. Especially in two phases – one when they were really direct, and we struggled to control that type of game and get back on track and the game we wanted to play. Then with the amount of open situations that we generated in the final third that has to finish with goals and clear-cut chances much more than we did today. I want the team to know how much I love them. I love them much more now than three hours ago, a week ago, month ago, three months ago. It’s very easy to be next to the players when they are winning and performing. This is the moment I love my players more, the staff more and now we stick together. This journey is going to be difficult and challenging, and there’s going to be bigger stones in the middle that we’re going to have to overcome that. And now we’re going to prepare really well in the week to get to Saturday in the right emotional level and right spirit to be perfect. [Courtesy of Arsenal.com]
So, let’s move on, lick our wounds and get ready for a tough string of matches coming in the next 14 days when Brentford comes to town next Saturday, then Manchester City on Wednesday, February 15th, followed by a trip to Aston Villa on the 18th.
As for today, Goodison Park was a wake-up call for sure.
COYG!
Gunners1953
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochetinno expects Blues forward Cole Palmer will not be available to play v Arsenal on Tuesday due to illness.
Just Arsenal is reporting the Gunners are eyeing Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles as a possible summer replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave the Gunners.
L’Equipe is reporting Arsenal are among several clubs interested in signing Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy. 
Fair Game is reporting that 58% of clubs across four divisions in English football are technically insolvent.
Stat of the Day: Arsenal has now recorded six consecutive away clean sheets in the Premier League, which is a new club record.
Mikel Arteta, “At the moment we are fighting for the league again for two consecutive seasons. We had our first experience in the Champions League for the boys. We have come quite far, not as far was we want that’s for sure and we still want to improve.”
Leandro Trossard, “The resilience has been brilliant. It is always tough when you lose, especially after the run we had by winning so many games. It’s up to the boys to show character and the mentality. We did that today (Sunday). All we can do is focus on ourselves.”
