With both Everton and Arsenal knowing that they’ve got new managers coming in over the course of the next few days, you would think that they’d give it their all in this game in order to showcase what they’re capable of. Alas, with Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti watching on, both teams continued to prove why they’re in such desperate need for change in a massively disappointing goalless draw at Goodison Park.
Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the best chances of the game, but it just wasn’t enough as these two giants of English football prepare for new eras within their respective clubs.
Everton interim manager Duncan Ferguson had the following to say after the game.
Pushing the tempo – or not
“I think a point was fair. We struggled with energy levels and they probably had the better chances, but we’re happy with a point. The players dug deep today.
“I’ve enjoyed it but I knew it was going to be tough today. The boys were on their last legs to be honest, after working so hard in the past three games.
“We still covered every blade of grass – we just lacked a bit of quality in the final third.”
“What he’s [Carlo Ancelotti] done in the game is incredible so I can’t wait to get started working with him. I’ll be here as long as the club want me here – so I’ll be back on Monday.”
Arsenal caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg, on the other hand, made the following remarks.
Poor advert for the English game
We dominated possession but we would have liked to get more out of it. We put a lot of young players out because I wanted to reward players who had trained well.
“I’ve learned a lot and it’s been a proud time for me to lead this amazing club. I knew I was interim manager to steady the ship and I feel like I’ve done that. It’s great the club has taken the decision and now we move forward.”
Mikel knows the club very well – he’s been here a long time. The club has told me they want me to stay, so I will speak to Mikel tomorrow and go from there.”
Arsenal will now face two games in a week against Bournemouth and Chelsea, whereas the Toffees have two games in just two days against Burnley and Newcastle.
Match Report
Everton: Pickford (7), Digne (7), Holgate (7), Mina (7), Sidibe (8), Iwobi (6), Delph (7), Sigurdsson (6.5), Davies (6.5), Calvert-Lewin (6.5), Richarlison (6), Keane (6), Tosun (6), Kean (6)
Arsenal: Leno (6.5), Maitland-Niles (6.5), Chambers (8), Luiz (7.5), Saka (7), Xhaka (7), Torreira (7.5), Nelson (7), Rowe (6.5), Martinelli (6.5), Aubameyang (6), Willock (6), Lacazette (6)
Referee: Kevin Friend
Goals: N/A
Yellow Cards: Davies, Sigurdsson, Chambers, Saka, Willock
Red Cards: N/A
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