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Mikel Arteta explained the thinking behind bringing off Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard against Everton.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that Declan Rice has been struggling with an injury niggle that led to his early substitution against Everton on Saturday afternoon.
The England international lasted just 62 minutes against the Toffees before being hauled off alongside Gunners captain Martin Odegaard. Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri came on for the midfield pair.
The Gunners dominated possession against Sean Dyche's side, seeing 77% of the ball at the Emirates Stadium, but couldn't find a way through an organised Everton defence.
The matches continue to come thick and fast for Arteta and his side over the busy festive fixture period. The London outfit are now once again in midweek action, this time a home Carabao Cup quarter final against Crystal Palace, before then facing the Eagles once again at Selhurst Park in a league fixture next weekend.
Having his squad available for the onslaught of matches is a priority for Arteta but, as the Spaniard was asked about his substitutions after full-time, he hinted at a problem with Rice that will need monitoring.
Declan Rice came off early against Everton.Declan Rice came off early against Everton.
Declan Rice came off early against Everton. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
He said: "Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something and with Martin it was a tactical decision. He [Rice] has been with a little niggle for the last week or so and he asked to be stopped in that moment."
The Arsenal boss was unable to give more details about the problem with it remaining to be seen whether Rice will be fit enough to feature against Crystal Palace in cup action midweek.
Despite dropping two points against Everton in a match that was crying out for the Gunners to record a victory, Arteta remained positive with his players and admitted there was little more his team could have done to win.
He said: "I'm disappointed not to win the game. There's only one team that deserves to win, it's Arsenal. We gave nothing away.
"We generated the chances but it was missing in the last 20 metres to score goals. Now that you draw the game, you want more. Even if you win it, you want more.
"I'm very disappointed because when you do what we've done today, we have to win the game."
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