Everton Defeat Not Fatal for Arsenal, but How They Respond Might Be

Arsenal’s match at Goodison Park underlined why supporting the Gunners can be so agonising. Just when they appear capable of launching a credible title challenge, just when talk turns to maturity and mental strength, they undo themselves.

Arsenal showed patience and intelligence to fight back from a one-goal deficit to beat Stoke at the weekend. However, against Everton their frailties were exposed once again.

This was a crunch week for Arsenal, with trips to Everton and Manchester City seen as a litmus test for the validity of their title aspirations. Suffice to say, things have not got off to a good start. The onerous task of a trip to the Etihad Stadium just became even more difficult now that Arsenal have had the rug pulled out from under them, and their positive momentum is in danger of dissipating.

Wenger’s week so far: Monday: Draws Bayern in #UCL last 16. Tuesday: Loses first PL game since August. pic.twitter.com/v0oOS4VcJn

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 13, 2016

It’s impossible to escape the conclusion that Arsenal suffered for the absence of Shkodran Mustafi. The German’s partnership with Laurent Koscielny has been one of the cornerstones of Arsenal’s success this season. Since arriving from Valencia, he has looked like great value—which is saying something for a player who cost the best part of £35 million. 

Everton would have been one of the fixtures that Mustafi was anticipating most eagerly. He was with the Toffees as a teenager but couldn’t make a first-team breakthrough under David Moyes. How he would have loved to return to Goodison Park as a full-fledged Germany international and starter in an Arsenal team fighting for top spot in the Premier League. 

Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. Mustafi picked up a hamstring injury in the match against Stoke, and Arsenal were forced into a defensive reshuffle that proved costly. Gabriel Paulista had been performing above expectations at right-back, but his partnership in the centre with Koscielny did not appear as robust as Arsenal’s customary pairing.

Until this Everton match, Arsenal had not conceded a headed goal all season. With Mustafi absent, they shipped two. While that also doubtless owes something to the quality of Everton’s delivery, Mustafi’s aerial ability would surely have helped safeguard against the Toffees’ …

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