The title race looks everything but after the rifles pay the penalty

Arsenal suffered a probable decisive blow to their weak hopes in the Premier League race, as they kept the draw 1-1 in Everton.

The rifles hoped to reduce Liverpool’s leadership at the top nine points by winning their last trip to Goodison Park.

Men Mikel Artete looked at the way to reach that feat when Leandro Troossard shot them into a 34th minute lead.

However, the penalty of Ilimani Ndiaye 49. A minute has proven enough to earn Everton’s prey, leaving Arsenal 11 points behind Liverpool, which can expand the gap on 14 points in Fulham on Sunday.

Everton against Arsenal

Both sides threatened from sets in the first half without testing any goalie and, instead of delivering a dead ball, it was a counter -attack that brought the arsenal opener.

Idrissa Gana Gueye and Jarrad Brathwaite headed to the same ball, and the former header landed kindly to Raheem Sterling, who crossed the box of the box before traveled by Trossard to shower over Jordan Pickford and in the corner of the lower right.

Pickford had to be warned to reject Trossard for a second in the first half stopped time, as Arsenal controlled things after breaking the stare, and the return Ndiaye produced the best moment of opening Everton when he bent over the crossbar from a long range.

But Everton was donated to a route back to the game when Myles Lewis-Skelly overthrew Jack Harrison into the area and, despite a long delay for VAR check, Ndiaye retained calmness to send David Ray to the wrong way and level.

Chiliman ndiaye. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/epwik7on4

– Everton (@everton) 5 April 2025

Abdoulaye Doucoure then attracted a smart salvation from David Ray, as Everton looked like he turned the game on his head, but Jordan Pickford was needed at the other end to hit a well-to-hit Declan Rice free kick after an extraordinary running from Lewis-Skelly.

Martin Odegaard was supposed to do better with a chance of close range, and Gabriel Martinelli forced Pickford to another diving view as Arsenal pushed for the late winner.

Mikel Merino then flashed his head, and this turned out to be the last opportunity for the artillery because they failed to keep the pressure on Liverpool, which can be firmly considered as selected champions if they prevail in Cottage Craven.

Arsenal will at least take the heart from a strong end to the match on Tuesday in the quarterfinal first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday with Real Madrid, but draw is another result of pointing to a season in which they missed too many opportunities to seriously cause Liverpool.