Martin Odegaard (left), Declan Rice (right), Mikel Arteta (inset) - all GETTY
Martin Odegaard (left), Declan Rice (right), Mikel Arteta (inset) - all GETTY
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained the substitutions of midfielders Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in the goalless Premier League home draw with Everton on Saturday (December 14).
Coming off a rousing 3-0 UEFA Champions League home win over AS Monaco in midweek, the Gunners failed to return to winning ways in the Premier League, having drawn 1-1 at Fulham last weekend.
Arteta's side dominated proceedings against the Toffees at the Emirates, with 77% possession. They also had more shots (13-2) and shots on target (5-0) than their visitors but couldn't break the deadlock.
In his post-match press conference, Arteta explained that he took off Rice, as the midfielder had asked to be taken off due to a niggle (as per football.london):
Trending
"He’s been with a little niggle for the last week or so, and he asked to be taken off. With Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something."
However, he explained that Odegaard was taken off as a 'tactical' reason:
"With Martin, it was tactical."
The stalemate means the Gunners have drawn consecutive league games for the first time since April 2023, with Toffees goalie Jordan Pickford thwarting the hosts.
"It's disappointing not to win" - Arsenal boss after Everton draw
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was expectedly unhappy not to have taken all three points after dominating large swathes of the game against Everton as he rued his team's proflgacy in attack.
The draw keeps the Gunners in third place in the standings, with 30 points from 16 games, winning eight. Leaders Liverpool (36) and second-placed Chelsea (31) have games in hand.
"It's very disappointing not to win the game," Arteta said (as per footmob). "We fully deserved to win the game. "We conceded no shots, and we dominated play. When we generated big chances, we didn’t score a goal.
"It doesn't matter (that Everton had 10 days to prepare). Look at the intensity we generated in the second half. We dominated the game so much."
Arteta's side next take on Crystal Palace at home in the EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates on Wednesday (December 18). They return to Premier League action three days later when they travel to Crystal Palace.
The Gunners are seeking their first league title since their memorable 'Invincibles' triumph in the 2003-04 season under the legendary Arsene Wenger. They finished runners-up in the last two campaigns, both times losing out to Manchester City.