GUNNERS FIRE BLANKS Arsenal 0 Everton 0: Match ends in controversy after late VAR penalty decision as Gunners drop points in title race

Arsenal blew a huge chance to close the gap on leaders Liverpool with a disappointing draw at home to struggling Everton.

The Gunners failed to make the most of their first-half chances and then struggled to create more in the second as visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and his defence held firm.

News of Diogo Jota’s late equaliser for Liverpool against Fulham was another blow and there were even a few boos at the final whistle.

Arsenal ‘keeper David Raya did not have to make a single save.

But at the other end his team lacked penetration and composure.

On a day when the clubs met for the first time since the death of Kevin Campbell, perhaps it was appropriate that it ended honours even.

As early as the sixth minute, Abdoulaye Doucoure had a great chance to put Everton ahead.

But the midfielder took long enough to shoot after being played through by Orel Mangala to allow Gabriel to retreat and make a good block.

From that point on, it was all Arsenal.

Only a combination of poor finishing, Jordan Pickford and great defending, often by James Tarkowski, kept the first half goalless.

But Pickford produced a fine save in the 29th minute when Saka got the better of Vitalli Mykolenko yet again.

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Odegaard eased on to the cutback but when his shot was half blocked and deflected by Tarkowski, the England goalkeeper kept it out with his legs.

Moments later that good work was almost spoiled when Tarkowski’s attempted header back to his ‘keeper forced Pickford into another panicked punch.

In the dying minutes of the half, an error by Jarrad Branthwaite allowed Arsenal to break but Pickford made a smart stop from Gabriel Martinelli.