Arsenal’s slim hopes of ending a 21-year wait for the Premier League title were dealt another blow on Saturday after a 1-1 draw at Everton, leaving Mikel Arteta’s men 11 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who also hold a game in hand.
Leandro Trossard gave the Gunners the lead midway through the first half, but Iliman Ndiaye equalised from the penalty spot to deny Arsenal maximum points at Goodison Park.
Liverpool now require just 11 points from their final eight games to seal a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
“Especially with the result, very unhappy,” said Arteta, who spent six seasons as an Everton player.
“This is a very tough place to come, a team that is very physical and direct. If you don’t deal with it, it’s hard to get momentum. The start of the second half was very poor.”
Eyes on Real Madrid
With one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, Arteta made several changes to his starting XI, resting key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey.
Despite missing Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus to injury, Arsenal controlled much of the first half.
The breakthrough came not from sustained pressure but via a swift counter-attack. Raheem Sterling surged through midfield and teed up Trossard, who rifled a low shot past Jordan Pickford—his first Premier League goal since January.
Finishing woes haunt Arsenal
Arsenal’s inability to convert dominance into goals has been a recurring issue all season, even before injuries to Havertz and Jesus.
Their failure to kill off games has proven costly, and once again, their profligacy allowed Everton back into the contest.
Ndiaye’s equaliser from the spot denied the Gunners a crucial win, further dimming their already fading title ambitions.
With the focus now shifting to European competition, Arsenal must regroup quickly to avoid a disappointing end to a season that once promised so much.
