Arsenal Women 0–0 Everton Women
by Layth Yousif 
at Ashburton Grove

AN OBDURATE Everton side kept out Jonas Eidevall’s misfiring Gunners to earn a hard-fought point today at Ashburton Grove. 

Brian Sorenson’s Toffees battled throughout, on what was a frustrating afternoon for the home side, as Eidevall became the Gunners first boss not to oversee a home victory in 22 matches against the blue half of Merseyside, in a lengthy spell of supremacy stretching back to 2009.

Despite Eidevall making two changes to his Arsenal side that edged past Leicester City 1-0 last Sunday, the home side simply could not find a way through a well-organised Everton side.

Eidevall included Kim Little and summer signing Mariona Caldentey as midfield starters, as Lia Walti and Caitlin Foord dropped to the bench, alongside England captain Leah Williamson and Steph Catley, who both returned from injuries to feature in a WSL squad for the first time this season.

Everton boss Sorensen made four changes to his mid-week team, with Elise Stenevik, Clare Wheeler, Justine Vanhaevermaet and Katja Snoeijs returning to the starting line-up.

With the Toffees taking two points in the League Cup against Newcastle with a penalty shootout win, keeper Courtney Brosnan kept her place after making three penalty saves, while 16-year-old Issy Hobson was back on the bench.

Arsenal dominated proceedings, at one point posting 70 per cent possession, yet failed to break down the visitors, despite carving out a number of half chances.

On eight minutes Katie McCabe fired over the bar, prior to Emily Fox’s cross-cum shot thudding off the Everton bar 60 seconds later, as the ball bounced away to safety for the Toffees.

On 26 minutes the stylish Caldentey tested Brosnan with a drive. Eight minutes later it was Frida Maanum’s turn to force a fingertip save from the creditable Brosnan, who dived low to her right to keep the effort out.

Six minutes before the interval, Veatriki Sarri tested Gunners No 1 Daphne Van Domselaar from deep, as Sorenson’s side attempted to break the deadlock on a grey afternoon in north London.

It was more of the same after the interval, as McCabe tested Brosnan after the interval as the Gunners searched for an opener. 

However, despite Eidevall making five changes in the second half, Everton kept out his faltering Arsenal side, with murmurs of discontent were audible at the final whistle.

Next up for the Gunners is a tough trip to Bavaria to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Everton can be content with their efforts, albeit against Eidevall’s underwhelming side.