‘Mikel did give them credit’ - Arsenal favourite reacts to loss at Everton

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, pundit Ian Wright believes it was the brilliance of Everton that prevented Arsenal from playing their normal game at Goodison Park. The table topping Gunners ended up losing for just the second time this season after the Toffees won 1-0 courtesy of defender James Tarkowski’s second-half header.

The hosts were boosted by Sean Dyche’s arrival in the week and their players gave their new boss an impressive performance. Mikel Arteta’s side were closed down all over the pitch and found it tough to create chances.

Wright, who scored 185 goals for Arsenal during his playing days, has given Everton credit: “They (Everton) did play well. Mikel did give them credit. He did mention that Arsenal would have to play well to control the game, to earn the right to play and I think Everton didn’t give them that today.

“Martin Odegaard, arguably one of the players of the season so far, didn’t have any time (on the ball). Arsenal still tried to play out (from the back) because that’s what has got them where they are at the moment.

“Look at Everton, every single one of them was right in their faces all day. If Arsenal were to get something that would have had to play very, very well. (Amadou) Onana was in and around Odegaard all day.”

He added: “I thought they (Everton) were going to run out of energy at some stage. They started to get confident.”

Arsenal remain five points above Manchester City at the top but that gap will be shortened this afternoon if Pep Guardiola’s men can get a result away at Tottenham Hotspur. Next up is a home clash against Brentford next weekend and the Bees make the trip to the Emirates Stadium on the back of nine league games without a loss.