Everton's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday extended their long wait for a league win at the Emirates Stadium with fans present to 30 years. The Blues' only victory at the ground since then came during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the latest loss left national media pointing to growing concerns around the club.
Arsenal's early lead sets the tone
Ezri Konsa bundled Arsenal into a seventh-minute lead, and despite Everton responding well and creating some opportunities, the hosts were comfortable winners. The victory moved Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Writing for The Guardian, Ed Aarons said: "The wait goes on for David Moyes. The 63-year-old Scot must have been hoping that on his 14th visit to this stadium as Everton's manager, his luck would change. Yet from the moment Ezri Konsa slammed home his first goal for Arsenal as the Premier League champions rediscovered their knack of scoring from set-pieces, the writing was on the wall."
Concerns over ownership and squad depth
Aarons added: "Having gone six matches without defeat to start the season, a second in succession will only add to Everton's concerns after confirmation that the club's American owners want out."
Gary Jacob of The Times noted Arsenal's set-piece prowess, with Konsa's goal coming from a corner and Gabriel Magalhaes heading in the second from Ben White's cross. Jacob also highlighted Everton's thin attacking resources, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall coming closest with a glancing header wide late on.
Moyes admits shortfall, Armstrong praised
David Moyes said: "It was always going to be hard after conceding the early goal. I want us to challenge the top teams but it's difficult when you see the strength of their bench." He also admitted: "Some good bits but not enough. We're lacking a little bit, which we know but in the main we've tried to give both games a good effort and we did."
Alex Howell of BBC Sport highlighted a positive: "Harrison Armstrong put in a solid performance in the middle of the pitch and is one of a few positives that Moyes can take from this defeat." Sam Dean of The Telegraph noted that Arsenal were "a little open at times" and that Thierno Barry missed the best chance for Everton, while Isaan Khan of the Daily Mail reported Arsenal peppered the visitors' goal with 18 shots.
