Analysis

Premier League hits and misses: Arsenal need a No 9 after Everton draw as Liverpool show title fight

Plus: Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford impresses on a landmark appearance in the goalless draw at Arsenal; Wolves boss Gary O'Neil is on the brink following the 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Ipswich; Anthony Gordon the key to Newcastle's thumping home win over Leicester

Saturday 14 December 2024 22:24, UK

Arsenal show need for a killer No 9

For the second Premier League fixture in a row, after their 1-1 draw with Fulham, Arsenal were left to rue a failure to turn dominance into goals. The 0-0 draw with Everton was another game to highlight their need for attacking reinforcements. They lack a killer No 9.

Kai Havertz has, for the most part, impressed in the role. His late goal in Wednesday's win over Monaco took him to double figures this season. But that total includes only five in the Premier League and he never looked like scoring on Saturday, registering a solitary shot across the 90 minutes.

Arsenal need more from their centre-forward and they seem unlikely to get it from their alternative option in Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored in the competition since January. Like Havertz, he offered little threat after his introduction in the second half.

Arsenal's progress over the last two years has been fuelled by a capacity to share the goals around. It should be noted they broke a club record with their total of 91 last season.

But to take the next step, it seems increasingly obvious they will need a forward capable of making the difference in games such as these. Their efforts to sign Benjamin Sesko in the summer suggest they are aware of it. But as January approaches, they can ill-afford to allow another window to pass without solving the issue.
Nick Wright

Brave Liverpool show more than fight in title pursuit

The real measure of teams with designs on the Premier League title is not how they perform when the going's good, but how well they respond in adversity. And Liverpool enjoyed their fair share of misfortune against Fulham.

As Arne Slot acknowledged post-match, "so much went against us, but I couldn't ask for more", albeit much of the Reds' affliction was that of their own making. Andreas Pereira scored a delightful opener relatively unopposed, Andy Robertson then saw red for over-running the ball and having to haul down Harry Wilson, before Rodrigo Muniz bundled home Fulham's second by beating Alisson to a low cross.

Liverpool 2-2 Fulham - Match report and highlights

Most of those incidents were avoidable, and on the face of it, as the title chase hurtles towards halfway, it might well be framed as two points dropped. But in reality, the character Liverpool showed to roar back from losing positions twice with a man less will only embolden their pursuit.

Anfield stirred and Liverpool's players responded. Ryan Gravenberch was tasked with playing centre-half, Joe Gomez pushed to left-back, while attacking players were asked to create in possession, and track back out of it. Slot is right to extract the positives. This was a show of defiance and bravery, and every title hopeful needs a big dose of that.
Laura Hunter

Pickford shines on 300th PL appearance

Everton have now had 44 shots since the last time they scored away from home, but they were never going to be judged on their attacking output ahead of the visit to title-chasing Arsenal. They've failed to score in eight of their games - more than any other Premier League side.

Besides, who needs goals when you've got the best in England keeping them out?

Jordan Pickford, making his 300th appearance in the Premier League, frustrated Arsenal all afternoon to ensure the Toffees headed back to Merseyside with an unlikely point.

Indeed, Everton have now kept a clean sheet in six of their 15 games this season - only Liverpool (seven) have done this more often.

From the moment Pickford confidently punched clear Declan Rice's first of eight corners, there was a decisive defensive structure and organisation to Everton - sorely missing during their last away outing at Manchester United - which Arsenal struggled to breach.

Fittingly, the game with the ball in the hands of Everton's No 1. His instinctive save to deny Bukayo Saka low down was the pick of five to thwart Mikel Arteta's side.

"The one to the left looks a big save right at the start of the second half," Sean Dyche said in reference to it. "It's a great stop and with the others, they're saves I expect him to make."

Provided Everton keep Pickford fit, their last line of defence is a match for anyone in the top division.
Ben Grounds

O'Neil a desperate man on the brink

Gary O'Neil was speaking like a man who knew there is probably no coming back from this. He challenged his players directly, saying: "Come on guys, this is the Premier League. [Dara] O'Shea booting down the pitch for [Liam] Delap and us not dealing with it, that's not me. I can't fix that. That's the lads. I'm really comfortable as myself as a coach and my standards as a coach."

He was using the example of the opening Ipswich goal where Nelson Semedo was completely outmuscled by Delap. In fairness to Semedo, not many defenders in this league could've done much to stop the rampaging Ipswich striker. But there was a frustration in the voice of O'Neil who has seen this story before where his team's lack of physicality has been the catalyst for their many downfalls.

Wolves have now conceded 74 goals in 34 games in 2024, working to an average of 2.18 per game. And they have conceded two or more goals in 11 of their last 13 Premier League games.
Lewis Jones

Gordon the heartbeat of Newcastle's victory

When Anthony Gordon drove down the left, cut in and wrapped an effort towards goal just seven minutes in, St James' Park knew they were witnessing a player who was intent on leaving a stamp on the game.

Newcastle 4-0 Leicester - Match report and highlights

A strong reaction save from Mads Hermansen denied him a goal on that occasion, but his efforts to lift Newcastle out of a winless mire couldn't be stopped. Everything good Newcastle produced was sparked by Gordon's industry who on a number of occasions could be seen tracking back to help out his left-back Lewis Hall.

In turn, Hall would support Gordon high up the pitch, with the duo combining for Newcastle's second and third goal as they tormented the Leicester right-hand side.

Gordon grabbed his assist when he set up Jacob Murphy's opener, but outside of that, his relentless pressing and carrying captured the spirit of St James' Park to steer his side to victory.
William Bitibiri

Villa's post-Champions League issues deepen

After their late 2-1 collapse at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa have now lost their last three games following a midweek Champions League match

It is a worrying trend for Villa boss Unai Emery whose side are winless in their last five league matches after a Champions League fixture. Their only win from the six post-European games this season came at home to relegation-threatened Wolves in September.

Nott'm Forest 2-1 Aston Villa - Match report and highlights

"It's not just physically, it's mentally and it's tiring," Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp said of their issues.

"You're travelling and the level of games you're playing are such a high then all of a sudden you've got to get yourself going again in a couple of days and try to find your energy from somewhere. It just isn't easy.

"We saw it with Newcastle last season. It's hard to match on both fronts and that's why we have to congratulate Man City and Liverpool on what they've done for so long.

"You need a squad that can handle that with a bit of depth and that's maybe where they're a little bit short but they can hopefully get a couple of players in.

"They're getting great results in Europe but then they're struggling after because of the highs and lows it gives you."

With Villa sitting fifth in the Champions League, Emery's side are virtually assured of reaching the knockout stages next year.

Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie thinks they need to bolster their attacking options in the winter transfer window to prevent these problems from continuing in 2025.

"I think they have to go again in January," he told Sky Sports. "They have to bring in a force in the forward area.

"All we seem to be talking about is Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran - that's brilliant but can Leon Bailey start adding more to their attack? Can they bring someone in who can take the pressure off?"

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