Arteta Labels Arsenal 'not Good Enough' As Everton End Barren Run
Zeeshan Mehtab Published December 07, 2021 | 09:20 AM
Liverpool, Dec 7 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Dec, 2021 ) :Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lambasted his side's performance after Everton struck twice in the final 11 minutes to end an eight-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over the Gunners.
Arteta's men have passed up a huge opportunity to move into the Premier League's top four after blowing the lead at Manchester United and Goodison Park over the past five days.
Another night of frustration looked in store for the Toffees as Richarlison had two goals marginally ruled out by VAR for offside either side of Martin Odegaard's opener for the Gunners.
But Richarlison was not to be denied a third time when he headed home before Demarai Gray smashed home a thunderous strike in stoppage time for a deserved win.
"I didn't like (the first half performance)," said Arteta. "There was no penetration, no threat, totally the contrary of what we are trying to do. It wasn't good enough.
"What I want is more from my team. Today we had the game under control and we have to find a way to win.
"In the Premier League when the game is there you have to kill it. When you have big chances you have to put them in the net." A late turnaround turned the focus of attention from one Spanish manager onto another as three defeats in four games have left Arsenal still four points adrift of the top four in seventh.
It was the Everton fans who turned up with a planned supporter protest for the 27th minute to mark 27 years without silverware.
But that did not result in a mass walkout and the home crowd played their part in a stirring fightback.
"It's very clear when the fans and the players stick together we are stronger," said Everton boss Rafael Benitez. "Hopefully it is the right step forward." Benitez was not a popular appointment as the club's manager in June due to his history as a former manager of local rivals Liverpool.
A 4-1 defeat by the Reds in their last outing increased calls for Benitez to be sacked, but his position at the club was strengthened over the weekend as it was sporting director Marcel Brands who departed.
Everton got the break they needed midway through a tepid first half when Ben Godfrey's stamp onto the face of Takehiro Tomiyasu went unpunished by VAR.
Richarlison brought the game to life when his header found the far corner from Andros Townsend's free-kick, but had just strayed offside.
Moments later, Arsenal had a half-time lead rather than a deficit as Kieran Tierney's cross perfectly picked out Odegaard to steer into the bottom corner.
There was no sense of Everton's players giving up on their manager after the break as they came flying out the traps and thought they had levelled when Richarlison smashed home at the near post from Abdoulaye Doucoure's pass.
However, again he was denied by VAR for the finest of margins.
It was third time lucky for the Brazilian 11 minutes from time as he sent a looping header over Aaron Ramsdale after Gray's shot rattled the Arsenal crossbar.
Arteta had dropped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from his starting line-up and did not even introduce the club captain with his first change to his forward line as Eddie Nketiah replaced Gabriel Martinelli.
That decision came back to haunt the former Everton midfielder as Nketiah headed onto the post with the goal gaping six minutes from time.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Gray produced the moment of quality that could turn his side's season as he charged towards goal and unleashed an unstoppable drive in off the post to spark wild scenes of celebration.
"Everybody was suffering and the reaction of everyone is the belief and hope we can do well," added Benitez.
There was still time for Aubameyang to salvage a point, but his wayward finish with just Jordan Pickford to beat with the last kick of the game showed why Arteta felt he could not trust the Gabon international from the start.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ISSI, FES hold int'l moot 'Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape'
Anonymous allegations against PR chairman rejected
Dallas hosts Kashmiri diaspora: A convergence for environmental, peace advocacy
PML-N’s Central General Council to meet on May 11
Gillani calls for further promoting parliamentary relations between Pakistan, US
Massive financial, administrative scam unearthed at SCCI
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
FCCI welcomes Iranian president's visit
Chief Commissioner briefs Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam about Raha Program
Millat Express stop at Bandhi extended
Govt. making all-out efforts to enhance energy mix to provide affordable electri ..
ATC adjourns hearing of May-9 violence case till May 11
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
8 minutes ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
4 minutes ago -
Muhammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan ruled out of T20I series against New Zealand
24 minutes ago -
Rizwan, Irfan out of New Zealand series
14 minutes ago -
Sana named ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier ambassador
2 hours ago -
Stone Lifter Martin Licis showcases skills at Haripur cultural sports competition
2 hours ago
-
Imad Wasim expected to take part in fourth T20I match against New Zealand
2 hours ago -
Football: English Premier League result
2 hours ago -
Cycling delegation calls on Chief Minister KP Adviser on Sports, Youth Affairs
3 hours ago -
UCP wins Judo Championship 2024
4 hours ago -
Shaheen Afridi excels in ICC T20I Rankings
2 hours ago -
Governor KP visits Khyber Girls Medical College
4 hours ago