It was a match that both teams needed and a result that neither team really wanted.
Technically, Tuesday's scoreless English Premier League draw between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium will help both teams in their quest for a top-four finish, but considering the tightness of the field, the happiest parties weren't even playing.
On one hand, Arsenal stayed in third place and extended their unbeaten run against Everton to 12 league matches. On the other, the Gunners failed to put four points between themselves and nearest competitors Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
And on one hand, Everton just about stayed alive in their own quest for UEFA Champions League football. But on the other, the Toffees also made their task even tougher.
The score would suggest a drab match, tight teams and a lack of chances. Instead, it was tense and taut, alternating between rugby and football with challenges and chances peppering both ends.
And in the end, of course, the real winners were Chelsea and Spurs.
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny returned to the Arsenal side as midfielder Mikel Arteta took the captain's armband against his former team. Nominal captain Thomas Vermaelen headed back to the bench, replaced by the bigger Per Mertesacker on defense. Theo Walcott slotted into midfield, replacing Gervinho.
Everton manager David Moyes made just one change from the side that beat QPR 2-0 at the weekend, bringing in 19-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley for Leon Osman. No surprise there—for Moyes, a repeat result was vital to his side's top-four challenge.
Technically, Tuesday's scoreless English Premier League draw between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium will help both teams in their quest for a top-four finish, but considering the tightness of the field, the happiest parties weren't even playing.
On one hand, Arsenal stayed in third place and extended their unbeaten run against Everton to 12 league matches. On the other, the Gunners failed to put four points between themselves and nearest competitors Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
And on one hand, Everton just about stayed alive in their own quest for UEFA Champions League football. But on the other, the Toffees also made their task even tougher.
The score would suggest a drab match, tight teams and a lack of chances. Instead, it was tense and taut, alternating between rugby and football with challenges and chances peppering both ends.
And in the end, of course, the real winners were Chelsea and Spurs.
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny returned to the Arsenal side as midfielder Mikel Arteta took the captain's armband against his former team. Nominal captain Thomas Vermaelen headed back to the bench, replaced by the bigger Per Mertesacker on defense. Theo Walcott slotted into midfield, replacing Gervinho.
Everton manager David Moyes made just one change from the side that beat QPR 2-0 at the weekend, bringing in 19-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley for Leon Osman. No surprise there—for Moyes, a repeat result was vital to his side's top-four challenge.
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