There was no hiding behind tactics or injuries—Arsenal needed a win at Goodison Park, and they didn’t get it. A 1-1 draw against Everton on Saturday all but confirmed what’s been looming for weeks: this title race is no longer in their hands, and probably hasn’t been for some time.
Mikel Arteta made the call to rest key players ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid. The gamble didn’t pay off. With Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and others watching from the bench, Arsenal had control but not conviction. Leandro Trossard’s well-taken opener gave them a lead, but it never felt secure.
And it wasn’t. A clumsy foul by Myles Lewis-Skelly allowed Iliman Ndiaye to equalize from the spot, and from there, Arsenal fell into a familiar pattern dominating the ball, lacking the finish. Despite bringing on firepower in the second half, the Gunners couldn’t break through a disciplined Everton side that had no intention of rolling over.
For all their possession and half-chances, Arsenal again showed why they’ve fallen behind in this race: they simply don’t score enough. The absences of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz haven’t helped, but even when fully fit, Arsenal have lacked that ruthless streak champions are built on.
Liverpool, watching from a distance, couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. With a game in hand and an 11-point cushion, Klopp’s side now need just 11 more to secure the title.
Arsenal weren’t beaten at Goodison but they weren’t good enough to win. And in April, with everything on the line, that’s the same thing.
