Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta fumes over Everton penalty controversy as Liverpool edge closer to title

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Arsenal held by Everton at Goodison Park

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 05/04/2025

- 15:42

The Spaniard has opened up after today's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has vented his frustrations after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Gunners went ahead through Leandro Trossard, with the former Brighton star firing the north London giants in front with Raheem Sterling providing the assist.


There was controversy at the start of the second half, however, with Everton given a penalty.

The Toffees were awarded the spot-kick after Myles Lewis-Skelly fouled Jack Harrison inside the box, with Iliman Ndiaye converting from 12 yards.

Arsenal Mikel Arteta Everton

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has vented his frustrations after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday

PA

Arsenal fans online were convinced that the penalty should never have been given.

And Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports, has now criticised the decision to penalise Lewis-Skelly.

"Well, especially with the result, very unhappy," he said.

"Very tough place to come, a team that is very physical and very direct. Constantly never get any momentum so it's very difficult.

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"When I had to finally find more control and to try and generate more chances, and do that, the start of the second half was very poor.

"We gave the ball away, insecure with what we do one way or another.

"And then the penalty comes...and it's for me never a penalty. But we take it from there."

When quizzed further, the Spaniard said: "It [the timing of the Everton goal] was really bad.

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"You want to generate now a certain momentum, especially going ahead because they need to start to be much more aggressive.

"And we never got to do that because the game became really different.

"It’s always like this and that’s a big strength of theirs. You have to deal with that.

"You want to dominate the game and win it and play the game. You have to deal with that like with many other teams in the Premier League."

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Arteta also admitted that 11 draws this season had dented Arsenal's title ambitions.

"It really is," he said when asked if that number was too high.

"You have to win many more games, especially when there is a team that constantly is winning."

While Arteta was frustrated, however, David Moyes was pleased after Everton dug deep to earn a draw.

Arsenal Everton

Arsenal dropped points in the race for the Premier League title with Everton holding them to a draw

PA

"It's getting much closer but until it's mathematical possible we can't say too much," he said when asked about his team's fight to stay in the top flight.

"I thought we were really poor in the first but much happier with how we performed second half."

The biggest winners were Liverpool.

The Reds can go 14 points clear at the top of the table if they overcome Fulham on Sunday.