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Arsenal win underlines Everton need for more pace

ByMatt Townsend|
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: James Rodriguez of Everton takes on Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: James Rodriguez of Everton takes on Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Everton got an important 1-0 win at Arsenal on Friday and gained three huge points in their pursuit of European football.

While the three points were obviously the main thing that came out of Friday’s win for Everton at the Emirates Stadium, it highlighted again a glaring lack of pace in the side.

The Toffees won at Arsenal for the first time since 1996, which in itself is a significant achievement considering how poor the Blues away record is in London.

But the win was secured not through the outstanding attacking football that Everton played that night but through a slice of good fortune that rarely comes the Toffees way.

In fact the Blues struggled to produce any consistent, good quality football or to create much in the way of chances.

And the lack of pace in the team was again highlighted with Everton playing some slow, pedestrian football as they have so often this season.

With James Rodriguez, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes all in the same team there was a real lack of pace, drive and energy in midfield.

All three of these players are very good technically but they couldn’t provide the direct support that forwards Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin needed.

I also don’t think all three can play together in the same team at the same time. Having one play-maker who likes to get on the ball and pull the strings is fine but having all three doesn’t really work and slows the team’s play down. This isn’t ideal in the modern Premier League.

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And that one player must have enough pace and movement around him too. Obviously Rodriguez would be the first-choice.

Carlo Ancelotti has tried to solve this problem of a lack of pace and drive using Alex Iwobi and pushing Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne further forward on the flanks to provide it.

None of these tactical tweaks has though worked consistently with Iwobi in particular being very disappointing again overall.

And it still doesn’t solve the problem of whether there is enough variety and support for the forwards on whome Everton are very reliant on for goals.

While Ancelotti does sometimes wish to play a slower more defensive and counter-attacking style, he also hopefully recognises the urgent need for more pace and attacking cutting edge and will be addressing that in the upcoming transfer window.