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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice asked to be subbed but confirms Martin Odegaard withdrawal tactical
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Published 14/12/2024 at 20:37 GMT
Arsenal failed to score in a 0-0 draw against Everton at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and manager Mikel Arteta said the result was "disappointing". The Spaniard also explained that Declan Rice asked to be subbed due to a "niggle", but Martin Odegaard was replaced by teenager Ethan Nwaneri for tactical reasons instead of any fitness concerns.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explained that Declan Rice "asked to be subbed" against Everton because of an injury.
The Gunners failed to break down their opponents in a 0-0 draw despite having 13 shots and 75 percent of the ball at the Emirates on Saturday.
Rice was taken off just after the hour mark, and as one of Arteta’s most important players since his arrival last year from West Ham, it is perhaps no surprise that he came off due to a fitness concern rather than a tactical decision.
"With Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something," Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
"He has been with a little niggle for the last week or so, and he asked to be subbed in that moment."
Captain Martin Odegaard was also subbed for teenager Ethan Nwaneri, and in that case, it was a decision made by the coach for tactical reasons.
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"I understand," said Arteta when told that some fans were surprised by the decision.
"If Ethan comes in and he scores a goal, it’s a great goal. If he doesn’t, you have taken your captain out. That’s football. I am sure they wanted to play 90 minutes, but that is why we have the subs, to try to help the team."
The 0-0 draw left Arsenal six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who drew 2-2 at home to Fulham, and speaking to Sky Sports, the Spaniard admitted the result was frustrating.
He said: "Very disappointing not to win the game. 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."
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