Arsenal 2 - 2 Everton: Points Lost or One Stolen?

So, how long is it going to be before the pundits declare Arsenal's title hopes dashed (again)?

No, Arsenal's 2-2 draw at the Emirates to the Blue Scousers does not help the Gunners case for the Premier League title, but by no means is it all over either. Bear in mind these few positives: 1) Everton also drew at Stamford Bridge this season, 2) Manchester United also dropped points yesterday while pretty much nobody else played, 3) Arsenal will still hold that match in hand against Bolton until God knows when they'll reschedule that one, and 4) All this talk of the title being out of reach will end with a win Stamford Bridge on February 7.

On to the recap, and I'll spare you all the story of why I collapsed in exhaustion in my attempt to rally all night to make the game at 10:00 a.m., leading to my being forced to rely on the internets to follow the match at home, all while still fighting sleep.

Everton fully deserved to leave the Emirates with all three points from what I was capable of seeing as they outplayed the Gunners for significant stretches, the team clearly missing the injured Cesc Fabregas and on-international duty Alex Song in the midfield.

Arsenal got the early shock as Everton struck first in the 12th minute, with Leon Osman's header coming off a corner. Thankfully, Abou Diaby (who has really turned things around lately) and Denilson held down the fort in the midfield and the latter thumped in an equalizer on a deflection 16 minutes later.

From there, Arsenal seemed to lack the killer instinct, perhaps marked by their inability to dominate in the middle on offense. Without van Persie in the center, Arshavin and Eduardo tend to swing out too wide on the attack, and we all know that nobody up front from Arsenal is big and physical enough to get in the middle and take on the opposing defenders in the box. It's a gaping hole upon which the best teams can clamp down and exploit.

That said, Arsenal looked like they were about to put in a go-ahead goal late and take the three points until Everton struck on the break. Pienaar broke through on the counterattack (and I couldn't quite tell who it was chasing him for Arsenal... thought it was Nasri but can't be sure and there was pretty much nothing he could do anyway except risk being sent off for challenging if he doesn't get ball first). Almunia cut down the angle perhaps too aggressively, letting the South African calmly chip the ball overhead and trickling across the line to give the Merseysiders a 2-1 lead nine minutes from time.

Then my heart leapt into my throat as Denilson went down hurt without a challenge. Denilson had been taken down in the box a few minutes earlier by (I think it was) Neville in the area without a penalty call despite protests from the Emirates crowd (it wasn't a penalty, he got the ball first). He did seem to get away with one later, tugging Vermaelen down without even attempting to go for the ball.

Back to the injury though, it's always disconcerting to see a player go down, especially when it's not obvious at all the reason why. Everton nearly capitalized on the break instead of kicking the ball into touch, as is the sportsmanlike thing to do (which they eventually did). This has led to some possibly controversial comments from Arsene Wenger, as he has apparently told his players to intentionally handball in those situations to stop play, though, that would normally result in a booking, no? But I digress; the news on Denilson is that he apparently feels fine now and expects to play in the Gunners next match at Bolton next week. Wenger said he was walking fine in the locker room after the game, but that the injury appeared like it could have been a problem with a muscle or the lungs (or a broken rib, as Wenger said, though he wouldn't feel fine now if that were the case). My first thought went to appendicitis as it looked like a randomly acute abdominal injury, while Max's mind went to a kidney stone.

In any case, thank God he's alright, because I'm pretty sure Arsenal is almost out of midfielders.

Then, in stoppage time (of which there were five minutes thanks to Denilson needing to be carried off on a stretcher), Arsenal got the equalizer, again on an unfortunate Everton deflection, from the foot of Tomas Rosicky. Afterwards, as Everton pushed for another go-ahead strike, Almunia took out two players simultaneously in a ridiculously unnecessary collision that left the keeper, Armand Traore, and an Everton player whom I do not recall on the ground for a few moments. Arsenal was pushing for a winner when the full time whistle was blown.

So, where do we go from here? Chelsea's match with Hull City was postponed but will likely turn into three points at a later date. That would put Arsenal six points out of first with that match against Bolton still in hand. This just barely leaves Arsenal capable of controlling their own destiny. If Arsenal wins out (not likely, but bear with me for the sake of argument), they can only be assured of Chelsea dropping three points the rest of the way, so Arsenal could still technically win on the strength of goal differential. It's just a lot easier if Chelsea keeps dropping points.

Hopefully soon, we'll have a report on the match from Casey and Jack, who were at the Emirates for this one.