Wenger refuses to admit title defeat

Everton 1 Arsenal 1

A below-par showing against Everton last night left the Gunners’ hopes in tatters as they had to scrap for a draw at Goodison Park.

Theo Walcott put the Gunners ahead in less than a minute but it was all downhill from there as Everton took the game by the neck and Marouane Fellaini earned a point with his 27th-minute strike.

Wenger was content with a point and is still not conceding Arsenal’s title hopes are over. “I am overall happy with effort put in,” he said.

“We hope we can improve. We have played 14 games, eight away, played both Manchester clubs away from home. If we play well at home, we have a chance to come back.”

Walcott opened the scoring after just 52 seconds. The Gunners winger returned to the starting line-up after a shoulder injury and was set free down the left by a clever pass from Aaron Ramsey. Walcott’s effort flew in with the help of a Phil Jagielka’s deflection. The goal was a timely reminder for Wenger that he needs to get the England international to pen a new contract before possible suitors can lure him away in the summer for nothing when his current deal expires.

Everton came into this with no wins in seven but David Moyes will have been pleased by the response.

They were level after 27 minutes and like Arsenal they got some help.

When the ball broke to Bacary Sagna, the defender seemed to panic and sprayed the ball across the edge of the area with Fellaini reacting before any other Arsenal players. The Belgian then calmly curled in his seventh of the season from 25 yards giving Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny no chance.

The Toffees goalscorer almost turned creator after 39 minutes when he flicked on to Nikica Jelavic who superbly turned Per Mertesacker but his resulting strike was well over.

After the break, Steven Pienaar had a chance to put Everton ahead but Szczesny saved at his near post.

Arteta could have given his old club a gift as he appeared to bring down Pienaar in the area on the hour but referee Michael Oliver waved play on.

“We should have had a penalty,” said David Moyes afterwards. “A lot of games are won by decisions referees make and don’t — we got nothing. We were not going to get a jot tonight.

“I was also denied about another decision when the ball was cut back in to Fellaini and he gave a free-kick out. That was as mystifying as anything.”

EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard 7; Hibbert 6, Jagielka 6, Distin 7, Baines 6; Naismith 5 (Oviedo 62, 6), Gibson 6 (Hitzlsperger, 72) , Osman 6 Pienaar 7; Fellaini 9; Jelavic 7.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Szczesny 6; Koscielny 6 (Gibbs 4, 6), Vermaelen 6, Mertesacker 5, Sagna 4; Arteta 6, Wilshere 7; Walcott 8, Cazorla 6 (Coquelin 90, 6), Ramsey 6 (Gervinho 80); Giroud 6.

Referee: Michael Oliver.