Everton defender Ashley Young has explained how the Toffees could have avoided conceding against Arsenal.
Everton were largely solid at the back against Arsenal on Sunday. They were able to keep the Gunners at bay until Leandro Trossard finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute.
The goal proved enough for the north London club to claim all three points at Goodison Park. Despite their resilience at the back, Sean Dyche’s side were utterly toothless in attack and once they fell behind, showed no signs that they had enough to get back into the game.
Everton clearly set up with a very defensive mind set. However, they were caught out by an intricately worked short corner routine which led to Trossard’s goal.
Full-back Ashley Young has expressed his dismay at how Everton allowed their defences to be breached in such a manner.
Young believes the goal could have been avoided. As quoted by the official Everton website, the 38-year-old summer signing said after the match, “for them obviously taking the short corner, releasing men from the box to get out to the ball a lot quicker…we weren’t able to do that and they scored from it.”
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Everton have even bigger problems
Whilst the Toffees will be justifiably disappointed to concede in the manner they did, this defensive lapse was not Everton’s biggest problem against Arsenal. Their complete lack of cutting edge presents a bigger problem for Dyche.
Despite playing in front of a home crowd, Everton were unable to impose themselves on the game at all. They were dominated by Arsenal throughout. The visitors enjoyed 74% of possession, whilst the Toffees only mustered one shot on target in the match.
This abject attacking performance was not a one off. Everton have lost four of their five Premier League matches so far this season, and have only managed two goals in that time. Both strikes came in a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Everton were always underdogs going into this clash with the Gunners, but Dyche must find a way to make his side significantly more clinical in the final third.