Arsenal 0-1 Everton: 5 talking points as Toffees secure crucial win | Premier League 2020-21 

#3 Arsenal's hope for European qualification all but extinguished

Arsenal might not secure qualification for Europe

Arsenal have had a very poor campaign this season, even by their recent inconsistent standards, and this has left them on the verge of failing to secure European qualification for the first time in 25 years.

This defeat to Everton leaves the Emirates outfit flailing in ninth spot, nine points behind the top four, having played a game more and seven points behind city rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who sit in 6th spot.

It looks likely that Arsenal's route to European football next season might come from winning the Europa League, which is a tall order, considering that the likes of Villarreal, Manchester United and AS Roma still stand in their way.

🗞 Read every word from the manager's press conference after #ARSEVE 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2021

#2 Everton bring their winless run to an end to keep slim top-four hopes alive

Everton are three points behind the Premier League top four

On paper, Everton have the squad to make an outside push for a top-four finish in the league. However, a look at Leicester City's giant strides makes the Toffees' shortcomings painfully obvious.

It started brightly for Carlo Ancelotti's men though, with a rampant Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing them into the upper echelons of the table early in the campaign.

They have, however, been plagued by familiar inconsistencies in recent weeks, and this has seen them plummet down the standings.

An important result for us and our position in the table. We’ll keep fighting. #COYB pic.twitter.com/S5LaWx1YsR

— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) April 23, 2021

Their victory over Arsenal halted a run of five Premier League games without a win and left them with an outside chance of making the top four.

The Goodison Park outfit are now just three points behind 4th-placed Chelsea. Although still a long shot, Everton fans will be hoping a fine end to the campaign can help them actualise this goal.

#1 Eddie Nketiah fails to take opportunity

Eddie Nketiah did not take his opportunity against Everton

The absences of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through injury saw Eddie Nketiah handed a rare start as the focal point of Arsenal's attack.

The 21-year-old has been with Arsenal since joining the club's academy from Chelsea in 2015. He made his first-team debut in 2017, but chances have come at a premium for him since then, chiefly due to the higher profile of those ahead of him in the pecking order.

Nketiah has, however, failed to take the few opportunities that have come his way, and this was once again the story against Everton.

Although his case was hardly helped by a non-existent midfield behind him, the bottom line is that Nketiah did not do too much to justify his stay at the club. It would not come as a surprise if Arsenal were to let him go in the summer.