“It’s about scoring goals” – Arteta reacts to frustrating draw with Everton – Arseblog News

Arsenal squandered another chance to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool as Everton held on for a 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Despite dominating possession from start to finish, Arsenal produced a bold attacking display that rarely troubled Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Captain Martin Odegaard was among those off the pace, prompting Mikel Arteta to make several second-half changes that refreshed tired legs but failed to add to the edge in the final third.

After dropping points against Fulham last weekend, the result raises serious questions about Arsenal’s title credentials – understandably a concern for Arteta.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing not to win the game,” he said BBC Sport.

“You don’t concede any shots on goal, off goal, you dominate the direct play, you dominate the second (ball), they don’t run at all, you don’t concede any set pieces, you do the process with the ball is really good, you arrive there (the box ), you have chances…it’s about scoring goals, we lacked that today.”

Clearly, the fact that he has created a team that is very good in many aspects of the game but lacks a killer instinct is hugely frustrating for the manager.

“We opened them up, we had chances, eventually you have to put them away.

“We had to run back, we are one of the best in the world, we had to dominate direct play, the same. The next stage, the same. High pressure, we recovered every ball, but we have to be at our best in the last 25 meters when we have the situations to put them in again.

“Against a block like this, it’s not like you’re going to generate 20 open chances, that’s the disappointment. For the rest, I can’t ask for much more from the team.

He added: “Everton, in the end they got a point. We didn’t score so they are happy, without a shot they have to be happy with the result.”