Arsenal’s slim hope for a first Premier League title in 21 years has further diminished after a 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday.
Leandro Trossard’s opener for the Gunners was cancelled out by Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty to leave Arsenal still 11 points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
The Reds now needed just 11 points from their remaining eight games to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had said the best preparation for his side’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid would be to win on Merseyside.
But the Spaniard showed he had one eye on the visit of the European champions with his team selection.
Bukayo Saka was forced to wait for his first start since December as the England international was left on the bench alongside Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey.
Despite also missing Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to long-term injuries, Arsenal were still the dominant force in the first 45 minutes.
However, it was from a rare Everton attack that the visitors took the lead on the counter-attack.
Raheem Sterling drove through midfield and fed Trossard who drilled an accurate low finish beyond Jordan Pickford for his first league goal since January.
Arsenal’s title bid, though, has been undone throughout the season by not scoring enough goals, even when Havertz and Jesus were fit earlier in the campaign.
Saka and Martinelli were introduced to add more firepower at halftime, but within seconds of the restart Everton were gifted a route back into the game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was penalised for a foul on Jack Harrison and referee Darren England pointed to the spot.
Ndiaye was made to wait by a lengthy VAR check to confirm the penalty award, but coolly sent David Raya the wrong way to level.
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