Mikel Arteta should be seriously alarmed by what Sean Dyche said about Arsenal after Everton draw

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Arsenal were forced to settle for a draw against Everton on matchday 16 of the Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta wanted more from Arsenal fans as frustration was made clear inside the Emirates.

Everton held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in a rather uneventful contest, seeing the Gunners dominate to no avail, which is becoming a tedious theme.

For the third consecutive Premier League game, Arsenal failed to score from open play, with concern setting in regarding the remainder of the season. 

What Sean Dyche said about Arsenal after Everton draw

Several Arsenal players were below par against Everton in what was a sluggish display all round from the hosts.

Of the Gunners’ 13 shots on goal, only five were on target and only one was considered a big chance, as per Sofascore, telling of the issues Arteta has to solve promptly. 

The Arsenal manager was sent a wake-up call after the game by Sean Dyche, who noted how ‘solid’ his side were by analysing the North Londoners’ struggles.

“They [Arsenal] were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were,” Dyche said.

From carries to crosses to passes, Arsenal couldn’t break down Everton, with little indication that a plan B was available when things didn’t go the right way. 

It’s back to the drawing board for Arteta, who must be concerned by what Dyche said, as the Toffees boss found success in limiting the hosts in the final third.

How Mikel Arteta responded to Arsenal’s lack of attacking spark

One way to indicate how poor Arsenal were was that even Martin Odegaard struggled to make a difference against Everton.

Arteta surprised Tim Sherwood by taking Odegaard off, hauling the captain to the bench after only an hour played. 

It wasn’t Odegaard’s day, but it wasn’t many other players’ either, with the front line flattering to deceive – aside from Bukayo Saka. 

Arteta responded to concern over his side’s lack of conviction going forward in a calm nature, which arguably makes the situation all the more alarming. 

“But we scored three from open play three days ago. It won’t continue. We will score goals. If we have the chances like we have done today, I am sure we will score.”

At present, it looks near impossible that Arsenal will find the net from open play in the Premier League, spelling a stark warning for Arteta to bolster his attack where possible in January.