Premier League: Everton defeat leaves Arteta in a muddle as he credits Dyche’s former side Burnley
- Arsenal slip to first league defeat since September as Everton channel new manager’s character
- Loss narrows lead at top to just five points, with Manchester City playing Tottenham on Sunday
Perhaps it was the shock at a first Premier League defeat since September or the fact that Sean Dyche was in the opposing dugout, but Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta appeared a little confused after his side’s 1-0 reverse at Everton on Saturday.
Speaking to radio station talkSPORT after the game Arteta slipped up when analysing the setback.
“Credit to Burnley, they play I think a really good game, and they lifted the crowd and they deserve to be congratulated,” Arteta said.
Everton certainly produced a performance that Dyche often used to inspire from his players during his long spell at Burnley, who he kept in the top flight for six seasons and even qualified for Europe.
But it was still a disappointing loss for Arsenal whose five-point lead at the top now looks vulnerable.
Second-placed Manchester City can cut that gap to two points if they win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and then visit Arsenal on Wednesday when top spot could be on the line.