Arsenal’s recent struggles have raised concerns about their ability to maintain their status as Premier League title contenders. Despite a strong start to the season, their latest setback came in the form of a surprising 0-0 draw against Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ inability to secure a win has led Kai Havertz to urge his teammates to reflect and address the issues plaguing their performances.
The match stats painted a stark picture of Arsenal’s dominance: 13 shots (5 on target), 77% possession, and 682 passes compared to Everton’s meager 2 shots (none on target), 23% possession, and 209 passes. Yet, despite their overwhelming control, Arsenal failed to convert their chances, with Everton putting up a resolute defensive display under Sean Dyche. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, along with center-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, thwarted Arsenal’s attacks and ensured the visitors left with a point.
Kai Havertz, who struggled to find the net himself, expressed his frustration during a post-match interview. He emphasized the need for self-reflection, stating, “Firstly, I think we try to look at ourselves. Win games, get points. That’s the most frustrating point today—that we didn’t do that. We have to win that game today.” Havertz acknowledged Arsenal’s control over the match but lamented their inability to capitalize on their dominance.
The usual attacking trio of Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli created opportunities, but poor finishing and a lack of precision in the final third proved costly. Havertz pointed to issues with positioning and execution in the box, admitting, “Just the little details in the box, we didn’t manage to do them. We didn’t find the final pass. Sometimes I think the positioning in the box wasn’t perfect, so we have to look at that and make it better next game.”
This draw marked a missed opportunity for Arsenal to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, who also dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Fulham. Liverpool remain at the top of the table with 36 points, five ahead of second-placed Chelsea, who have a chance to narrow the gap with a win over Brentford. Arsenal, meanwhile, sit in third place with 30 points, further behind in the title race.
Despite the frustration, Havertz praised Everton’s defensive organization, calling them “a tough team to break down.” He acknowledged the need for Arsenal to improve in key areas and focus on their next match to bounce back from the disappointment.
With the draw, Arsenal have fallen further behind in their quest for Premier League glory. Whether they can regain momentum and make up lost ground remains to be seen. For now, their focus will be on addressing the weaknesses highlighted in this performance and finding a way to turn dominance into victories in the games to come.