Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to take off senior Arsenal stars Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice during Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League draw against Everton.
The Gunners’ challenge for the title suffered another dent after they were held by a stubborn Toffees side who are showing signs of improvement under Sean Dyche.
Six days after they failed to win at Fulham, Arsenal could again manage just one point as they failed to capitalise on 10-man Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against the Cottagers at Anfield.
Arsenal have now gone three consecutive league matches without scoring from open play, and they remain six points adrift of the Reds having played one match more.
Given the importance of three points, the home crowd were stunned to see captain Odegaard and midfield linchpin Rice taken off just past the hour mark.
Substitutes Ethan Nwaneri and Jorginho failed to make a telling impact as Everton, ultimately, comfortably held on for a deserved point.
Asked to explain the eye-catching second half changes, Arteta said:’Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something and with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm especially on that side.
‘I understand if Ethan comes in and scores a goal it’s a great sub, if he doesn’t you have taken your captain out. That’s football.’
Asked how Odegaard, only recently back from a long-term injury reacted to being taken off, Arteta added: ‘The same reaction as Martinelli I’m sure everyone wanted to play the 90 minutes but that’s why we have the subs to try to help the team.
‘Very disappointing not to win the game,’ Arteta added. ‘We fully deserved to win the game.
‘We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.’
On Everton having a longer break in between games, he said: ‘No. It doesn’t matter. Look at the intensity of what we generated in the second half.
‘[Frustrating] especially when we concede zero [chances] and dominate the game so much.’