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Everton held by Arsenal as new boss Carlo Ancelotti watches on
A battle of outgoing caretakers - Everton’s Duncan Ferguson and Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg - failed to produce any fireworks with Everton having the upper hand in a tepid first half.
Everton were held to a 0-0 home draw by Arsenal on Saturday in a dull Premier League clash, which took a back seat to both clubs naming new managers in a bid to revive their fortunes.
Carlo Ancelotti, named as the new Everton manager barely an hour before the kickoff, got a first glimpse of the Toffees from the directors’ box as did Arsenal’s new head coach Mikel Arteta who was appointed by the Gunners on Friday.
A battle of outgoing caretakers - Everton’s Duncan Ferguson and Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg - failed to produce any fireworks with Everton having the upper hand in a tepid first half.
Gylfi Sigurdsson hit the side-netting from a free kick and striker Cenk Tosun could not get any direction on a sharp low cross by Tom Davies as the home side dictated proceedings.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a superb reflex save to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from close range shortly after the break before an almighty goalmouth scramble nearly resulted in an own goal at the other end.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in the closing stages with Arsenal packing their defence to deal with a flurry of Everton crosses into their penalty area.
