Arsenal v Everton | Premier League | Match Highlights

Arsenal missed the chance to move within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they were held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield meant the Gunners would have boosted their title hopes with a win but they could not find a way past an inspired Jordan Pickford.

The Everton goalkeeper made two crucial saves in the first period, first blocking a deflected effort from Martin Odegaard, who also fired wastefully over in the early stages of the game, then standing tall to block a diagonal shot from Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal: Raya (7), Timber (7), Saliba (7), Gabriel (7), Lewis-Skelly (7), Rice (7), Odegaard (6), Merino (6), Saka (7), Martinelli (6), Havertz (6).

Subs: Nwaneri (6), Jorginho (6), Jesus (6), Partey (6), Trossard (6).

Everton: Pickford (9), Young (8), Mykolenko (8), Tarkowski (8), Branthwaite (7), Mangala (7), Gueye (8), Doucoure (7), Ndiaye (7), Harrison (6), Calvert-Lewin (6).

Subs: Broja (6), Lindstrom (6).

Player of the Match: Jordan Pickford

Pickford picked up where he left off after half-time, making a superb, reflex save to push Bukayo Saka's volleyed effort around the post as the dogged visitors continued to frustrate Arsenal.

The hosts continued to apply pressure but Everton, buoyed by news that the Friedkin Group's protracted takeover is finally close to completion, put up fierce resistance, repelling a succession of corners as Arteta surprisingly chose to withdraw skipper Odegaard for "tactical reasons" just after the hour.

As at Craven Cottage last weekend, though, where they drew 1-1 with Fulham, Arsenal struggled to turn their dominance into clear chances in the closing stages.

Arsenal wanted a late penalty following a coming together between Vitalii Mykolenko and Thomas Partey but VAR decided otherwise, making it four points dropped in two games for Mikel Arteta's side as Everton celebrated a hard-earned draw.

The Gunners remain third, a point behind Chelsea and six behind Liverpool, with both of those sides having a game in hand, while Everton move to 15 points in 15th place.

Arteta: I can't ask for much more from my players

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in his press conference:

"I feel very disappointed not to win the game, because obviously there is only one team which deserves to win, which is Arsenal. We gave nothing away, no shots conceded, dominated the direct play, didn't allow them to run, no set-pieces, our high-press was excellent.

"We generated the chances, but in the last 20 metres the goals were missing, which is what you have to do with all the dominance, because we have never been able to dominate it that way.

"You have to try to generate the highest winning probability and we certainly have done that. Now that you draw the game, you want more. Even if we win it, we always want more. But I cannot ask much more of the boys, apart from putting the ball in the net."

On taking off Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard after 62 minutes: "With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something, and with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm, especially on that side."

Dyche proud of players: Step in right direction

Everton boss Sean Dyche:

"You have to know how to work it without the ball. It's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have it. You have to do the other things well.

"Ashley Young has been in great form. Great strength of character. Vitalii Mykolenko, one of his big strengths is one-on-ones. The midfield three were excellent.

"They're a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics - pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.

"They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were. It's another step in the right direction."