LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has revealed why he subbed off captain Martin Odegaad against Everton
Mikel Arteta has revealed his decision to take off Martin Odegaard against Everton was due to tactical reasons.
Odegaard has been a highly influential player for Arsenal ever since his arrival for Real Madrid, taking on the captaincy at the start of last season. But Arteta opted to haul off his captain 62 minutes into Saturday's clash with the Toffees.
The Norwegian had struggled to make an impact as the Gunners dominated against Sean Dyche's side. But it still appeared to be an odd move to see youngster Ethan Nwaneri replace the skipper.
Declan Rice was also taken off alongside Odegaard, with Arteta revealing that was due to injury concerns. But the Arsenal boss conceded there were no such issues with Odegaard, with his performance the reason for his early exit.
Arteta said: "With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something. With Martin it was tactical. I understand. If Ethan comes in and scores it’s a great sub. If he doesn’t you’ve taken your captain off. It’s football."
Arteta cut a frustrated figure after the draw, with his side having had 77 percent of the possession and 13 shots. He admitted he was left disappointed, with the Gunners having missed the chance to close the gap on Liverpool, who drew with Fulham.
"Very disappointing not to win the game. I mean we don't concede any shots on target, off target, they don't run at all, you don't concede any set pieces, you have chances. It's about scoring goal and we didn't do that today," he added.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did Mikel Arteta make the right decision by taking off Martin Odegaard? Comment below.
Odegaard was taken off just after the hour mark to be replaced by Ethan Nwaneri
"We opened them up we had the chances, at the end you have to put them away. We had to run back. High press, we regained every ball. I cannot ask much more of the team. Everton got a point, I think they have to be happy.
"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. 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."
Everton boss Dyche meanwhile was pleased to see his side take a point from one of the title challengers. He told BBC Sport: "You have to know how to work it without the ball. It's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have the ball. You have to do the other things well.
"They're a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics - pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.
"They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were. It's another step in the right direction."
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