This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta, the newly appointed managers of Everton and Arsenal respectively, were given a glimpse of the tough road ahead as their teams played out a dull 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
The match, which saw both teams struggling at the wrong end of the table, lacked quality and showcased the challenges that Ancelotti and Arteta will face in their new roles.
Ancelotti, who was confirmed as Everton's new boss on the morning of the match, was in the stands alongside Duncan Ferguson and Freddie Ljungberg, who were in temporary charge for the final time.
Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal just 24 hours earlier, also watched from the sidelines as his team, which included a youthful lineup featuring 19-year-old Emile Smith Rowe, struggled to create scoring opportunities.
The match ended with Arsenal edging into ninth place, but with just one win in their last 13 games in all competitions, while Everton moved up to 15th, but remained only four points clear of the relegation zone.
