Robust Everton Battle To Point At Arsenal

Everton produced a superb battling away performance to earn a goalless draw and a valuable point at Arsenal.

The Blues recorded a sixth clean sheet from their past nine games with an excellent defensive effort - captain James Tarkowski, on his 100th Club appearance, and Jordan Pickford both stand-out performers.

Sean Dyche's side also retained an attacking threat throughout on the counter - but will be satisfied to leave Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal are unbeaten so far this term, with a draw.

Dwight McNeil missed out on the matchday squad with a knee issue as Dyche recalled Jack Harrison to his starting line-up in the only change from the side that started the 4-0 home win over Wolves last time out.

This rare Saturday, 3pm meeting between the two sides - the first since December 2011 - also presented an opportunity for both sides to pay tribute to the late Kevin Campbell, who represented so much to both clubs and their supporters.

Campbell, who came through the ranks with boyhood club Arsenal and won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup with the Gunners, famously and almost single-handedly guided Everton to safety after arriving at Goodison Park on an initial loan move from Turkish side Trabzonspor in March 1999, a switch that was made permanent and Campbell went on to captain the Blues while deepening a special connection with the Club.

A giant banner, showing Campbell in both Arsenal and Everton colours, was displayed in the stands ahead of kick-off, while midway through the first half Arsenal supporters joined in a 'Super Kevin Campbell' chant started by the 3,003 Evertonians that packed out the away end.

FIRST HALF

On the pitch, Everton, in all royal blue, were facing the sizeable task of breaking Arsenal's unbeaten home record this season, which has included nine wins and two draws from 11 games in all competitions.

Abdoulaye Doucoure spurned arguably the best opportunity of the first half inside six minutes, latching on to Orel Mangala's perfectly-weighted pass but a split-second hesitation allowed Gabriel to recover enough to block the midfielder's left-footed drive behind for a corner. 

The hosts responded with a sweeping move of their own two minutes later before James Tarkowski - once again captaining the Toffees on his 100th Club appearance - expertly tracked Gabriel Martinelli and intercepted at the vital moment to quell the danger.

Martin Ødegaard then skied a presentable chance after being picked out with a cut-back by Mikel Merino from the left channel.

The game began to settle into a rhythm from that point, with Arsenal dominating possession and Everton content to stay compact and look to hit their opponents on the counter.

Ødegaard threatened again, skipping past two would-be challenges on the edge of the penalty area before dragging a low shot harmlessly wide of Pickford's left-hand post. 

The closest the Gunners came to scoring in the opening period came on the half-hour mark, but the deadlock was kept intact by a combination of a Tarkowski block and the knees of Jordan Pickford after Saka had found a well-placed Ødegaard inside the penalty area.

SECOND HALF

Arsenal, buoyed by the news fellow title-chasers Liverpool were down to 10 men and trailing at home to Fulham, came flying out of the blocks.

Pickford was on hand to claw away Saka's low effort around the post with an excellent save after Odegaard's in-swinging cross from the right flank had only been half-cleared by Everton's defence.

Dyche shuffled his pack just after the hour, with Armando Broja and Jesper Lindstrøm replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jack Harrison as the Blues boss looked to add a fresh edge to his attack.

The game continued to follow the same theme as the first - with Everton's belief continuing to grow.

Arsenal continued to press forward, though, and came close again with 14 minutes remaining with a dangerous free-kick. Fortunately, for Everton, Kai Havertz was unable to adjust in time to divert the ball on target and the Blues survived.

The atmosphere intensified in the closing stages - the hosts urged on to snatch a winner, while the Toffees continued to offer a threat of their own. 

Ndiaye and Broja led separate and somewhat isolated counter-attacks, the latter of those culminating in a final 'nearly' moment for the visitors as Young's cross from the right was agonisingly out of Mangala's reach, allowing William Saliba to clear.

Everton's focus now turns to the visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park on Sunday 22 December (2pm GMT).