In what has been an underwhelming season, Arsenal have lost their identity, perhaps what holds them together is the slight belief that they will win their first ever European silverware, but first they have to get past their former boss Unai Emery in the two-legged Europa League semi final beginning Thursday next week.
At the Emirates, their home record has been wanting, something Mikel Arteta says “is terrible and unacceptable”.
On Friday evening, the Gunners were expected to “win” against Everton, a side that hasn’t won at Arsenal in 25 years! Bernd Leno’s in the 76th ensured that Toffees rekindled their hopes of qualifying for Europe with the hosts Arsenal grasping on loose straws in what has been a downward fall throughout the season.
Arsenal will blame themselves for not utilizing their chances, they simply couldn't help themselves, even though they had a penalty decision reversed VAR just before Leno’s howler.
The Gunners lost for the seventh time at home in the league this season, Arteta is not happy. "We were the better team. We lacked some clear-cut chances and the edge in the final third. They are very well organised, but we conceded the goal in the wrong moment," said Arteta.
The Spaniard also took a dig at the match officials whose decisions changed the whole dimension of the game.
"To disallow a penalty 15 seconds before, (after) eight or nine touches - I saw it 10 times and I don't get it. It can be taken the way they want. Zero control. Somebody has to explain that," an exasperated Arteta told Sky Sports.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti whose side hadn’t won a premier league fixture in five outings was delighted to bring his side's 25-year wait for a win at Arsenal to an end.
"It (winning at Arsenal) is an unbelievable gift for our supporters. A good performance - not top, but solid. We tried to play if possible and we were lucky to score a goal," he said.
"Finally I can say we are back. We had a difficult moment with lots of injuries, but this victory gives us more motivation for the next games," Everton head into the weekend in eighth position, a point behind outgoing champions and bitter rivals Liverpool.