Was this the secret to Everton’s shutout at Arsenal? Toffees boss Sean Dyche pictured enjoying red wine with Alastair Campbell on eve of staunch performance in London… as former Labour spin doctor claims credit for surprise result

Alastair Campbell jokingly claimed credit for Everton’s gutsy draw with Arsenal after sitting down with Toffees boss Sean Dyche ahead of the game.

After enduring yet another difficult start to the campaign, on Saturday Everton were tasked with facing a Mikel Arteta side intent on re-establishing their title charge.

Jordan Pickford was kept busy by constant Arsenal attacking threats throughout the afternoon but the Blue wall ultimately held firm, with the clash at the Emirates ending goalless.

Following the game, former Labour chief Campbell took to social media to share a photo of his view from the stadium and revealed he had enjoyed dinner with Dyche and his assistant, Ian Woan, prior to the game.

‘I think it would be wrong of me to take all the credit for @everton gritty nil nil at @arsenal’ Campbell wrote on Instagram

‘But I am sure Dychee and Woany will be the first to say that sitting down for dinner with someone who has played with Maradona and Pele in the wonderful Swan restaurant with St Paul’s in the background was a great way to prepare for the match. 

The former Labour official took to social media to jokingly take credit for the Toffees’ result

Everton held firm for a point at the Emirates and surviving an onslaught from Mikel Arteta’s side 

‘They will also confirm that I said a gritty nil nil was the best outcome to go for.’

Campbell added that he will be in attendance when Norwich play host to Burnley on Sunday, and revealed he was looking forward to meeting up with former Canaries owner Delia Smith.

He continued: ‘I am hoping for more goals at @norwichcityfc tomorrow. 

‘Looking forward to catching up with Delia and @ashleybarnes89 who will always be a claret.’

Campbell is a lifelong Burnley fan, having started following the club as a child.

In a 2002 BBC interview he explained: ‘The very first game I saw we were reigning champions of the football league.

‘I don’t know whether that had something to do with explaining why I became a follower.

‘From that dizzy height I followed them all the way down to the bottom, where we nearly got kicked out of the league.’

Dyche spent nearly a decade in charge at Turf Moor, twice leading the club to promotion to the top flight before being sacked in April 2022.