Result: Everton 0-0 Arsenal
Date: 21 December 2019
Venue: Goodison Park
Arsenal's struggles in the Premier League continued in front of their new manager after dropping points at a resurgent Everton side at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
The North London oufit confirmed the arrival of Mikel Arteta on Friday, but he was in the stands against his former side while Everton announced the appointment Carlo Ancelott an hour before kick-off.
In his final game in charge as interim manager, Freddie Ljunberg went for a young side as Martinelli, Emile Smith-Rowe and Reiss Nelson started behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Toffees were forced into a change after just 12 minutes when former Gunners midfielder Alex Iwobi was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Cenk Tusan.
While the crowd at Goodison Park seemed raring to go from the onset, the game itself failed to provide any spark in the opening 45 minutes as both goalkeepers did not have a save to make.
Both sides came out with more intent in the second half as Aubameyang forced Jordan Pickford into a fine save after Richarlison went close with an effort from distance inside the opening 10 minutes.
With no goals forthcoming, Arsenal inntroduced Joe Wilock after the hour mark as Smith-Rowe made way while Ducan Ferguson introduced Michael Keane for Fabian Delph.
With time running out, Everton nearly snatched three points in the 89th minute as Tom Davies surged towards the box but his effort sailed wide of the mark from the edge of the box.
In the end, neither side could find the breakthrough as Ancelotti and Arteta saw their respective sides settle for a share of the spoils.
