Arsenal’s faint Premier League title aspirations were dealt a crushing blow on Saturday following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park — a result that inches Liverpool ever closer to the crown.
Despite taking the lead through Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike, the Gunners couldn’t hold on as Iliman Ndiaye equalized from the penalty spot early in the second half, leaving Arsenal 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.
Liverpool now need just 11 points from their remaining eight fixtures to seal a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title, as Arsenal’s wait for a first league triumph since 2004 looks set to continue.
Manager Mikel Arteta, balancing squad rotation ahead of a looming Champions League clash against Real Madrid, opted to bench key players Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli, while injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhães further thinned his options.
Still, Arsenal dominated much of the first half, and a swift counterattack led by Raheem Sterling paved the way for Trossard’s low drive past Jordan Pickford in the 34th minute.
But just after halftime, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s clumsy foul on Jack Harrison resulted in a penalty after a lengthy VAR check. Ndiaye kept his cool to send David Raya the wrong way.
Everton nearly snatched all three points through Abdoulaye Doucouré, whose ferocious strike was tipped over by Raya, but the hosts eventually settled for a draw.
Arteta introduced Saka, Martinelli, and Ødegaard in search of a winner, but Arsenal’s season-long struggle with finishing resurfaced, as Mikel Merino and Ødegaard both squandered late chances.
For David Moyes’ Everton, the result lifts them to 14th place, a safe 15 points above the relegation zone, while unintentionally doing local rivals Liverpool a huge favour in the title race.
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