Arsenal

After Arsenal failed to reignite their push for the Premier League title at the weekend with a goalless draw against Everton, boss Mikel Arteta said the result was "very disappointing".

Arteta believes his team "fully deserved to win the game", but the reality is the Gunners have now been forced to settle for back-to-back draws in the league - though they have the chance to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup when they host Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

We asked supporter Harry Symeou, from The Chronicles of a Gooner, for his thoughts on Arsenal's form and what might need to be addressed in the January transfer window.

Harry Symeou can be found at The Chronicles of a Gooner, external

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On Friday, Mikel Arteta - the Premier League's third longest-serving manager and English football's fourth - will have been in charge of Arsenal for five years.

The Gunners face Crystal Palace at home in the last eight of the Carabao Cup later, as they go in search of their first trophy since the FA Cup in the Spaniard's debut campaign in 2020.

Arteta's side have only reached the semi-finals of a domestic cup competition once since then, as well as the last four of the Europa League. They have yet to reach another final and fallen just short in the Premier League in the past two seasons - and are currently trailing leaders Liverpool by six points this time around.

So, we want to know how you are feeling about Arteta and his time in charge. After the progress made so far, can Arsenal now make that next step?

Have your say here

Arsenal fan Alex Moneypenny

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Arsenal's inconsistent form is down to defensive injuries, according to fan Alex Moneypenny

The Gunners, who host Crystal Palace later in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, are third in in the Premier League after 16 matches, four points behind second-placed Chelsea and six behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

However, they have dropped points against Everton and Fulham in the league this month.

"The issue with Arsenal at the moment is that we are so reliant on our full-backs to give us balance and structure and they are just not fit," Moneypenny told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"There is an argument that he puts too much physical strain on them.

"Calafiori isn't fit. We don't have Ben White or Tomiyasu. It's underrated how important full-backs are for Arsenal.

"We end up playing Thomas Partey on the right and Timber, who's right-footed, as the left-back, which causes a lot of problems.

"If we persist with some balance in those positions it will contribute us to playing well."

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We asked for your views on Stephen Warnock's comments on Arsenal being overly reliant on Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Here are some of your comments:

Rajkumar: Arsenal need a prolific striker. You cannot depend on Saka and Leandro Trossard to score in every game. A top striker should have been bought in the summer as most fans see this as a shortcoming. Get someone like Lautaro Martinez or Dusan Vlahovic.

John: I am absolutely amazed Arsenal didn't make signing a striker their priority during the summer. It it clear to everyone that Kai Havertz is not good enough and it is time for Gabriel Jesus to be moved on. Every story coming out is 'Arsenal interested in X midfielders'. How many more do they need? If the number nine position is not dealt with, Arsenal will never win the league.

Peter: Arsenal could really use an efficient, goal-hungry striker, but not a selfish 'give the ball to me and I'll put it in the net' type. Their system of play demands that you put a real shift in defensively as well. havertz does that very well but lacks the cutting edge in his finishing. Flashes of it have been shown, but he gets crowded out by defensive blocks without help from other team-mates.

Darren: I think the problem is on the left side and not so much a centre-forward. As much as I like Gabriel Martinelli, he has lost his way a bit and the rest of the team know it. I lost count of the amount of times he was in acres of space out on the left on Saturday and they refused to pass to him and tried to always go right instead. Teams just double up on Saka knowing there isn't much of a threat coming from the left. If Martinelli or Trossard, or both, find their form again Arsenal will go back to destroying teams.

Jon: Definitely too reliant on Saka and Odegaard. This showed when Odegaard was out injured and there was no-one to replace him. Arsenal lost all of the creativity that he gives the team as he is the puppet master pulling all the strings that make arsenal tick. There is no one to replace Saka either. The last transfer window was dreadful. They knew what we needed and didn't do the business they needed to.

Bruno: I still believe Havertz has more benefit in the team than Martinelli or Trossard. That being said, if Havertz wasn't so passive in attack and we had a striker like Alexander Isak, who is far more technical and direct than Havertz, our left wingers would no doubt find a bit more success in the final third. Havertz is really the only option for Odegaard to play a one-two with before the ball inevitably ends up with Saka.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are not available for Wednesday's game.

• Declan Rice "is fine", but Arteta will make a decision on whether the midfielder will play after training.

• He said playing Crystal Palace "is always really tough" and "it is another layer of difficulty when you play a team twice in a row."

• On if Ethan Nwaneri and Martin Odegaard can play together: "It depends on who they're surrounded with and what positions they can play. He [Nwaneri] can play as an right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder and a winger. I also think he can develop as a nine."

• In response to whether Arsenal will be looking to do business in January: "It will depend on who the player is, what the value of that player is and other movements in the squad. That is a difficult one to answer."

• He said he will not have a celebration to nod to his five years at the club, but will "reflect on it" because "five years in the job of this size is very big."

• On how winning the Carabao Cup can help them challenge for the Premier League: "I think it is really helpful. It brings belief, trust and positive energy. Touching a cup generates that energy and I think it creates the right path."

• He had a quick response when asked if he's not played Raheem Sterling for a particular reason: "No."

Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Stephen Warnock believes Arsenal are relying too much on Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka as the Gunners' attacking from open play is being questioned.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the former Liverpool defender said: "There's a bit of a reliance on Saka and Odegaard, if you can keep those two players quiet.

"Martinelli and Trossard aren't quite performing, Havertz isn't where he was a few months ago. There's been a drop off from Declan Rice - that balance isn't quite right.

"There's a lot to be said about the way Arsenal have played, I think it's been slower and not as dynamic and quick.

"They've tried to control games a little bit more and it's gone against them in a way."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

What do you think Arsenal fans? Is there an over reliance on Saka and Odegaard? What would you like to see change for the Gunners to create more from open play?

Have your say here

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As the final whistle blew in Saturday's home draw with Everton, there were a smattering of boos from the crowd. This should have been an easy three points, a chance to gain ground on a Liverpool side who also dropped points.

There is currently a lot of 'should' about Arsenal, particularly when it comes to struggling against teams in the bottom half of the table. On a basic level, the Gunners should be beating these sides because of the quality of the squad and the type of football they are capable of playing.

But the word 'should' also has another meaning here. If Arsenal are to win the title, they 'should' be beating teams like Everton at home. There is an underlying sense of entitlement, that results against the smaller teams are a given, and it is the big games where Arsenal need to focus. This is a dangerous mentality to have.

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It is worth remembering that this is only really the second season where Arsenal can be considered title contenders. The sense that they 'should' be beating teams simply by turning up is not the approach befitting of champions.

What Arsenal do not seem to have learned is that to be title contenders is to be hunted. It is to be targeted, It is to be subjected to low blocks and defensive football in an attempt to simply stop them, whatever it takes. On Saturday, the Gunners had 13 shots and 76% possession, and still dropped two points.

Coming so close to the title in the past two seasons has perhaps given fans the idea a few tweaks here and there are what is needed to get over the line. But, when the margins are that small in elite sport, a one percent improvement does not represent a couple of tweaks. It could be having to go right back to the drawing board and going again.

The draw against Everton is not the end of Arsenal's title challenge, but it has certainly planted a seed of doubt.

Could it be that the current squad, and current performance, is only ever going to be good enough to be one percent away from the title?

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Arsenal are closely monitoring Sevilla's France Under-21 midfielder Lucien Agoume as a potential replacement for Thomas Partey. (FootballTransfers), external

Jakub Kiwior has decided to leave the Gunners in January, with Napoli interested in the defender. (Il Mattino - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, winger Raheem Sterling has no plans to cut short his loan move at Arsenal, despite struggling for regular minutes. (Standard), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter at Emirates Stadium

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Mikel Arteta might have felt only one team deserved to win, but it was interesting to also hear him admit - despite his side's dominance in terms of possession and territory - that "you need a spark and you have to be precise". These are qualities that Arsenal have been lacking in the league generally of late.

Indeed, while their set-piece scoring record has been heralded, can you be considered title contenders if you've gone three and a half domestic matches without a goal from open play?

They're far from a one trick pony, but recently they seem short of ideas aside from when they're stood over a dead ball.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans:

Rachel: The inconsistency of this team is thoroughly disappointing. I think we have to face the facts that we simply aren't good enough. Teams like Chelsea are in the ascendancy. Arsenal put in an accomplished performance against Monaco three days ago yet cannot find a way to beat a team 15th in the league. No more excuses, Mikel Arteta. You know what to do.

Richard: Another disappointing result for AFC. Home games against lower-half teams are "must win" for any team with title aspirations. As ever, Arsenal had a lot of possession and passed the ball around nicely, but failed to score. A striker is urgently required in January.

Ste: Up front we're less X-factor and more Y-bother. Upgrades needed urgently if we're going to be anything other than a footnote in this title race.

Kelvin: Not surprised anymore. We can only hope to finish in the top four. If we don't buy a good number nine, then I fear we will start losing some of our senior players to clubs who are winning trophies.

Everton fans:

Peter: We defended and disrupted well, but didn't make enough chances. Solid performance in all, but it would have been so sweet to nick a cheeky goal in the final few minutes.

Dave: Digging in for a boring defensive game does nothing towards entertaining the supporters. Boring boring Sean Dyche and boring football. Most Everton fans are used to this mind-numbing football now as Everton persevere with one poor striker trying to pinch a goal. If not, a bore draw is usually served up. Boring tactics to kill a game. Why can't the mighty Everton go into a game with attractive football expecting to score a few goals? Dyche out asap!

Andy: We showed very little ambition and parked the bus, but there is no shame in that against one of the top teams. Great shift by all concerned. Unexpected point to be honest. In future seasons we need to target giving Arsenal a game as equals. Dyche won't be part of that equation but as long as he keeps us up this season, I can't complain too much.

David: Good to see the re-emergence of our strong defensive work that was missing in the first few games of this season. A solid display and considering where we are currently and our history with this fixture a point is a massive bonus. Well done, Blues!

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 2-2 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports after today's draw: "Very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game.

"We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn't score a goal."

On Everton having a longer break in between games: "No. It doesn't matter. Look at the intensity of what we generated in the second half.

"[Frustrating] especially when we concede zero [chances] and dominate the game so much."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal (17) and Everton (13) have kept the most Premier League clean sheets in 2024.

Everton have kept six clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games, but have failed to score in six of those matches during this period. The Toffees have now played out 109 goalless draws in the Premier League, the most in the competition's history (overtaking Aston Villa, 108).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal’s performance

What did you make of Everton’s display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Read the report and follow reaction

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you all the key moments.

• Arsenal v Everton

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Leicester

• Wolves v Ipswich

• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 16 he takes on darts star Stephen Bunting, who is a Liverpool fan.

Bunting, who is ranked eighth in the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) order of merit, takes on Alan Soutar or Kai Gotthardt in the second round of the PDC World Championship, which starts at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Arsenal dominated Fulham in their draw last weekend, but did not create much from open play.

Fulham are a well-organised team, but I was still a little disappointed in Mikel Arteta's side.

Martin Odegaard was not as influential as usual, and it showed, but the Gunners were still a threat from set-pieces, which is how they got their goal.

People joke about how Arsenal are like Tony Pulis' old Stoke City side in that respect, but I see their ability to score from corners as being a feather in their cap rather than something to sneer at.

The Gunners are definitely more pragmatic this season but fair play to them for being so effective at set-pieces - a few other teams must wish they carried the same level of threat in those situations - and I don't see them slipping up against Everton.

Sean Dyche's side will sit in and they don't mind a set-piece either, so this could be a battle of who is better at corners, but I'd back Arsenal to come out on top.

Bunting's prediction: 3-0

Arsenal will win this quite easily. They are playing well, and Everton have been struggling.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Talk at Arsenal has now started about the window transfer window as it opens on 1 January but Mikel Arteta says plans the club have around new signings will not be held up by the departure of sporting director Edu.

The Gunners have been without a sporting director since he left in November.

"We have one, Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director," Arteta said. "He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now. He is doing really well with his team.

"The process is open, as you know. The club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward."

Arsenal have been hit with injuries to key players at times this season but it does not seem as though the Gunners are going to be overly active in January.

"I never expect January to be super busy but we have to wait and see where we are. Some surprises can come," Arteta said.

"We are prepared for that. Some opportunities too. We have to see. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, the Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he is "so happy" that there has been a mural painted of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.

Arsenal have become a force from set-pieces and have scored 23 goals from corners since the start of last season.

That has led to Jover becoming a fan favourite - and before the match against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday, a fan-painted mural was seen near the stadium.

"I didn't know it. So happy, he fully deserves it," Arteta said.

"The same as many other staff and coaches. It's great that the attention is not just on the players or sometimes the manager, but that our supporters can think that way and someone can be so creative. It makes people feel valued and recognised."

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On injuries to Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori: "There is a possibility for one of them to be available. Gabriel trained today. [We] have to be careful with Calafiori."

• On Bukayo Saka's form: "It is remarkable what he is doing every three days. He will continue to do that for sure. He is exceptional at what he does. Now we need to go to the next step and win things collectively."

• And on potential targets for Saka, Arteta added: "We always set targets. It's about understanding how we are going to reach those targets. There is an idea to score 30 goals or 40 but it is how we are going to do it."

• On teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly's impressive first Champions League start: "He deserves to be in contention to be selected as he performed really well. He is a person who continually surprises all the staff. He was surrounded by very experienced and senior players. We believed it was the right context for him to succeed."

• On playing Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino as a midfield trio against Monaco: "There has recently been a lot of new units. That was one we had planned and discussed. They did a really good job. They will play together again for sure in the near future. Three very intelligent football brains - three players who like to play for others."

• On the news that Arsenal fans are unveiling a mural outside the Emirates Stadium for set-piece coach Nicolas Jover: "I just heard - I didn't know that. So happy and he fully deserves that. It is great the attention is not just not on the players or the manager. He will love it."

• On his plans for the January transfer window: "I never expect January to be super busy. Some surprises can come and we are prepared for that."

• On facing his former club Everton as they continue talks over a potential takeover: "The club has been through different stages in their history. The fact is, it is very strong. Hopefully, they can get a new path now with new stadium, new owners and have happier times."

• On plans for Arsenal and Everton to honour the late Kevin Campbell at Saturday's match: "You can tell with the way that people talk about him. The club has done very well to make the day feel very special to recognise who he was as a person."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news here

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

The January sales have not quite arrived yet but with the transfer window opening in just over two weeks, Arsenal fans will be longingly eyeing the usual array of striking talent - likely only available at eye-watering prices.

Almost daily, this page has the Gunners linked with a new goalscorer, either through gossip or the thoughts of supporters.

And with the focus on so-called set-piece reliance recently, as well as slipping six points behind leaders Liverpool, cries for some 'guaranteed' goals are understandable.

But is that what Arsenal need? We've taken a look.

On the one hand, it could be argued Arsenal already have strikers, of sorts.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka together account for a third of the team's goals, with the latter at it again in midweek as he bagged two against Monaco to secure a key Champions League win.

They are ably backed up by Leandro Trossard, himself not a classic forward, who has an eighth of their goals over the past two seasons, many of them crucial winners in tight games.

Indeed, along with Martin Odegaard, this quartet all helped themselves to more than 10 goals during the 2023-24 season and this campaign's attempts to replicate have been hampered by the missing talismanic influence of their captain.

But what of their strikers?

Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah scored 14 goals last year, but with the latter gone, and the former yet to get off the mark this season, there is certainly a glaring absence at the top of the field.

Although far from a classic number nine, Havertz is usually fielded up top by Arteta so does make the "strikers" category for this graphic. Strip out his 24 goals, though, and the numbers in the striker column would look severely barren.

Add in the top goalscorers for title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool over the same time period to this chart and the dearth of Arsenal's forward line is laid bare.

Since the start of last season, Arsenal have shared the goals around and it has made them a competitive force in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

But they keep falling short.

Would 20 goals or more from a so-called recognised striker be a difference-maker for the Gunners?

It certainly could not hurt.