Everton 2-1 Arsenal: 5 talking points as Gunners suffer another defeat | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Arsenal have massive work to do in the January transfer window

Mikel Arteta must bring in some new faces in January

The January transfer window will open in two weeks and Arsenal have already missed out on one of their midfield targets, Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined RB Leipzig on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will attempt to sign Houssem Aouar again after failing to close the deal for the attacking midfielder in the summer. Arsenal are also rumoured to be keen on signing Real Madrid's midfielder Isco and Fabio Vieira from Porto.

With no way back for Mesut Ozil at the club, Arteta must sign a creative midfielder in the coming weeks as well as let go of some deadwood to resurrect their season.

Willian failed to produce a shot on target, make a successful cross, complete a take-on, make a successful tackle or win any of the four duels he contested in 90 minutes against Everton. 😬

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 19, 2020

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#2 Arsenal are in a serious crisis

Arsenal have only won one out of their last 10 Premier League matches

14 points from 14 Premier League games is not impressive at all. Once a regular top four or top six finisher, Arsenal are now the only team from that clique to be rooted in the bottom half of the table.

The Manchester clubs have moved up to 6th and 7th spots after a slow start to their season. However, the Gunners are dropping further and further out of sight.

Only Sheffield United have lost more games (12) than the Gunners (8) at this stage of the competition and the prospect of being in a relegation battle is growing day by day.

Arsenal have not been relegated since the 1912/13 season but the fans' worse fears might come true as the team's performances just do not seem to improve.

Were Arsenal in the top half of the Premier League on Christmas Day?𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁YesNoNo pic.twitter.com/y2ULeZ0j5Q

— William Hill (@WilliamHill) December 19, 2020

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#1 Battle for top spot become fiercer between the Merseyside rivals

Everton appear to be rivalling Liverpool for the Premier League trophy

When Liverpool handed a 7-0 thrashing to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Everton took the onus upon themselves to respond by beating Arsenal in a convincing fashion. Three consecutive Premier League wins and the Toffees are living up to expectations in front of the fans.

Tottenham and Leicester City are the clubs that could make the top four before Christmas Day. Only seven points separate league leaders Liverpool and fourth-placed Leicester, who are yet to play this weekend.

The situation is less tight-knit at the bottom but Arsenal are five points away from safety. They will host Chelsea on Boxing Day and then face Brighton on 29th December. If things don't go Arteta's way, the Gunners could very well find themselves in the relegation zone in the coming days.