Everton vs Arsenal: 5 key notes new manager Carlo Ancelotti will have taken from draw against Gunners

The Italian has penned a four-and-a-half year contract at Goodison Park

While it was scrappy throughout, Carlo Ancelotti will have taken a great deal away from Everton’s draw against Arsenal.

A goalless draw saw few players cover themselves in glory, but there was a lot of revealing aspects to what this squad can do – and what they cannot – for the Italian.

Now the hard work starts as Ancelotti looks to take Everton back into the top half, with Duncan Ferguson’s unbeaten run as caretaker boss pulling them four points clear of the relegation zone.

Here are five notes Ancelotti should have made from his watching brief in the stands.

And here are five notes Mikel Arteta should have made while scouting his new side.

Direct football

Everton began the contest launching balls into the final third, both direct towards the penalty area and also into the channels for Richarlison and Alexi Iwobi to chase. The pattern became more pronounced when Duncan Ferguson replaced the injured Alex Iwobi with Cenk Tosun.

The ball was even propelled into the box from throw-ins. All of which is to say Ferguson was convinced Arsenal would struggle with this approach (they didn’t), but Ancelotti’s first test will be to refine this approach into something more considered that can develop regardless of the opposition in the weeks ahead.

Calvert-Lewin was central to a direct approach from the hosts (REUTERS)

Full-backs expose lack of organisation

Bukayo Saka revelled in the freedom offered to him to run from deep as an out-of-position left-back and despite Arsenal’s slow start, an area of joy emerged on both flanks in advanced positions. Reiss Nelson, too, down the right, was afforded time and space, with Lucas Digne and Djibril Sidibe, especially, isolated with little help from teammates dropping in.

Sidibe was notably struggling to judge distance between Mason Holgate and Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian often left completely free. Ancelott​i will be tasked with establishing some organisation in whatever system he opts to pursue.

Build around Richarlison

Whatever role Ancelotti hands the Brazilian, the new Everton boss must consider how best to utilise his most impactful player.

Stuck out wide and on the periphery of the game here in a game Everton struggled to control, the hosts lost the influence of their most outstanding player. Ancelotti will be thankful to have one of the best young forwards in the game in his squad, now the test will be how to assemble the pieces around him to get him firing the Toffees towards the top half of the table.

Richarlison was out of sorts but will surely become integral for Ancelotti (REUTERS)

Rebuild Kean’s confidence

The unfortunate way in which Duncan Ferguson dealt with Moise Kean as a substitute against Manchester United dented the Italian prospect’s confidence. His compatriot must now gradually rebuild the player who demonstrated both work rate and alertness in the penalty area.

Kean is undoubtedly a player that can help Everton but the transition to life in England has been tough, with his movement and versatility able to mirror Richarlison somewhat, the pair could become a featured part of the Everton attack under Ancelotti in the next few months.

Capitalise on softer approach

Duncan Ferguson’s aggressive approach as the caretaker boss at Goodison was arguably justifiable in the short term, but now Ancelotti is the long-term appointment at Goodison, his well-know softer approach should be welcomed by the Everton squad.

Both Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun were substituted after coming on as substitutes, with neither consoled as they came off and clearly left embarrassed by their treatment. Ancelotti is known as a player’s coach, who can lighten the mood, rather than oversee a military-style operation. With a partly disillusioned squad short of confidence to prove the quality they have, many will relish the fresh start.