Arsenal’s fast-fading title hopes in the Premier League were dashed on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Everton at Goodison Park.
Mikel Arteta’s side came into the fixture needing a win to keep up the chase behind league leaders, Liverpool, but could only come away with a solitary point that does their title aspirations no good.
The Gunners were without defender Gabriel, who had been ruled out of the remainder of the season after suffering an injury in the win against Fulham last time out, while the fit-again Bukayo Saka could only settle for a spot on the bench.
Despite not starting a number of regulars, it was Arsenal that broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Leandro Trossard drilled home a cool finish on the counter following a pass from Raheem Sterling.
The Belgian international could have doubled his tally on the stroke of half-time but his toe-poked effort was scrambled away by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, while Declan Rice’s follow-up was blocked.
Everton soon got back on level terms when they were awarded a penalty four minutes into the second half. Myles Lewis-Skelly was adjudged to have brought down Jack Harrison inside the box and Iliman Ndiaye coolly converted the resultant spot-kick.
A couple of opportunities saw Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure force David Raya into a sharp save while at the other end, Declan Rice’s free-kick was put away by Jordan Pickford as it finished all square.
Arsenal’s draw means that leaders Liverpool require only 11 points from their remaining eight games to guarantee themselves the Premier League title.