Pickford stars in Arsenal stalemate with Everton
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes took another hit as Everton produced a resolute defensive performance at Emirates Stadium to secure a 0-0 draw.
Jordan Pickford was in fine form between the sticks for the Toffees, who also defended excellently to frustrate their hosts.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka came closest for the Gunners but were both brilliantly denied by England's goalkeeper.
Gabriel Martinelli also had two efforts blocked after Abdoulaye Doucoure had gone closest for Everton early on.
Other than a late penalty shout for a tackle by Vitalii Mykolenko on Thomas Partey, which was waved away by the referee and the decision upheld by VAR, Everton was able to keep any late drama to a minimum.
The draw leaves Arsenal in third position, behind Liverpool, which could only draw with Fulham, and Chelsea, while Everton is 15th.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was adamant his side should have taken the three points.
"It's very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game," he said.
"We conceded no shots and we dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.
"It doesn't matter [that Everton had 10 days to prepare]. Look at the intensity we generated in the second half.
"We dominated the game so much."
Pickford made five saves, with a superb, instinctive stop from Bukayo Saka's volley early in the second half a standout.
Only Arsenal (17) have kept more Premier League clean sheets in 2024 than Everton (13), who did not have a shot on target.
Sean Dyche accepted his side had not posed much of a threat in attack on an afternoon when it had just two shots, which included an early, blocked effort from Abdoulaye Doucoure.
But the former Burnley boss was proud of the way the visitors stuck to their guns and singled out full-backs Ashley Young and Vitalii Mykolenko for praise.
"They [Arsenal] are a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in," he said.
"We showed commitment to doing the basics, pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.
"Ashley has been in great form and showed great strength of character. Mykolenko, one of his big strengths is one on ones. The midfield three were excellent.
"They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were. It's another step in the right direction."
