Everton 1-1 Arsenal: On the whistle match report by Layth Yousif at Goodison Park

It was honours even in the Merseyside sunshine as Everton and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at grand old Goodison Park.

A first half opener from Leandro Trossard was cancelled out by Illiman Ndiaye’s penalty after the interval in front of 39,316 fans on Saturday lunchtime.

Arsenal boss Arteta made five changes to the side that beat Fulham. With Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling all drafted in while Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard all Gabriel Martinelli dropped out. Bukayo Saka was also on the bench as the North Londoners looked to Tuesday’s blockbuster clash with Real Madrid.

In the ninth minute both sets of supporters broke into a heartfelt minute’s applause for the much-loved and much-missed Kevin Campbell, who served both clubs with such distinction.

With half an hour gone of a shapeless match, punctuated by misplaced passes and a general sense of lethargy in the Merseyside sunshine, the Goodison PA piped up during play to inform spectators that they would be ejected if they persisted to stand. After 30 mundane minutes it would have perhaps been somewhat of a blessing to have made early tracks up the road for the 4pm at Aintree rather than continue to endure the hugely underwhelming after on offer.

However, just as punters were thinking of perusing the Grand National race card as entertainment in lieu of what was on show, Arsenal scored through Trossard.

Despite the attentions of two Everton defenders, the Belgium attacker fired low across Jordan Pickford to put the visitors 1-0 on 33 minutes in what was barely their first attack of the half. Stung, Everton swept upfield, with Jake O’Brien heading over the bar from Jack Harrison’s cross, the Toffees No15’s receiving a blow in the face for his troubles from Mikel Merino. Whose close attentions saw the Arsenal midfielder come off second best, as the game halted to allow the 28-year-old to receive lengthy treatment for a head injury.

During the interval Arteta opted to switch Sterling for Gabi Martinelli and Saka for Nwaneri. It certainly had an impact.

But for Everton, as the home side won a penalty moments at after the restart when Myles Lewis Skelly felled Harrison in the box.

Up stepped No10 Illiman Ndiaye who slotted home to make it 1-1 as Goodison erupted. With the tempo now raised Toffees No16 Abdoulaye Doucoure tested Raya with a low drive that the Arsenal keeper did well to prevent.

With Arsenal weathering the storm, Arteta hooked White with an hour of football in his legs ahead of the Champions League clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s side in North London on Tuesday, with Jurrien Timber coming on, presumably also with the intention of proving his fitness after hobbling off during the win over Fulham in midweek.

On 63 minutes Declan Rice tested Pickford with a stinging free kick after Lewis-Skelly was felled following a driving run at the heart of the Toffees backline.