Arsenal entered the match with heavy psychological pressure, because they had no right to self-determination. Man City only needs to win against West Ham in the match at the same time to win the championship, regardless of the result at the Emirates.
Before kick-off, “Gunners” fans received more bad news: Bukayo Saka was not on the registration list due to injury. To put out the fire, Mikel Arteta had to be replaced by Gabriel Martinelli, a player who is not in good form this season and does not have the knack of playing on the right wing.
Arsenal players were disappointed after conceding the first goal. Photo: PA
Not long after the match started, Arsenal fans in the stands at Emirates Stadium were abuzz with the news that Man City opened the score early. Many people constantly check their phones to understand the situation. Their worries became even greater when on the field, Arsenal’s attackers had an ungainly day of competition. Takehiro Tomiyasu headed wide in a comfortable position, before Martinelli’s low shot was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Understanding Arsenal’s impatience, Everton patiently defended and waited for the opportunity to counterattack. They almost succeeded with that intention when, from a quick ball situation, Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post near David Raya’s goal. However, Arsenal’s defense, which has only conceded 29 goals this season, cannot stand. From a free kick situation 20 meters from the goal, Idrissa Gana Gueye’s shot hit Declan Rice and changed direction, causing Raya to watch helplessly as the ball went into the net.
This season, Arsenal have had many spectacular escapes. And hope was rekindled with the hosts at the end of the first half. From the second line, Tomiyasu ran up and shot low through the legs of Everton players, equalizing 1-1. This was an exemplary combination of the “Gunners” when Martin Odegaard moved down the sideline to coordinate with Ben White on the right wing, before passing back for his teammate to finish. Immediately after this goal, Arsenal received news that Man City’s score was shortened to 1-2 by West Ham.
Gueye shared his joy with Everton fans after opening the score. Photo: Reuters
With water remaining, Arsenal pushed their squad higher after the break, hoping to get ahead and put pressure on Man City. But without a mutant player like Saka, the creativity of Arsenal’s attack has been greatly reduced. The injury of midfielder Gabriel Magalhaes makes it even more impossible for Arsenal to maintain the pair of centre-backs that is considered their greatest strength this season, and the news that Man City increased the score to 3-1 puts everything even further out of reach for “Cannon”. defense”.
However, Arsenal did not stop trying. Arteta brought in players who have not had a chance to show much this season such as Emile Smith-Rowe and Jurrien Timber. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Havertz or Smith-Rowe’s shots only shook Everton’s goal, while Odegaard’s close-range shot was blocked by a rolling Jarrad Branthwaite.
The situation ended, equalizing 1-1 for Tomiyasu’s Arsenal. Photo: Reuters
It wasn’t until the 89th minute that Arsenal took the lead. Ashley Young’s careless cross to James Tarkowski was intercepted by substitute striker Gabriel Jesus. Although Odegaard missed, his touch became a convenient pass for Havertz to score into an empty goal. With this goal, the German international has scored four goals and contributed two assists in the last five matches. Havertz is Arsenal’s most in-form player at the end of the season. After scoring, Havertz was not very happy. Perhaps, he was disappointed because he missed many opportunities, or knew that this late goal was not enough to help Arsenal win the championship.
Many Arsenal players shared this sentiment when the final whistle sounded. Some people were even close to tears. The “Gunners” won 16 out of 18 matches at the end of the season but still not enough to win the championship. Their biggest regret is probably the 0-2 loss to Aston Villa at home on April 14. Anyway, Arteta’s teachers and students have shown outstanding maturity. 89 points is their second best achievement in Premier League history, only one point less than the undefeated championship season of 2003-2004.
