Arteta reveals why he subsituted Odegaard early in draw with Everton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on his tactical decision to substitute captain Martin Ødegaard during the second half of their frustrating goalless draw against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arteta Explains Decision to Substitute Odegaard in Frustrating Draw with Everton

The Gunners, who entered the match with a prime opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, dominated possession and created numerous chances but failed to find the back of the net.

Despite Everton’s struggles on the road this season and their precarious position near the relegation zone, Arsenal couldn’t capitalize on their overwhelming control.

Arteta made the bold choice to bring Ødegaard off after 65 minutes, replacing the Norwegian playmaker with 16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

Declan Rice also left the pitch around the same time due to physical concerns, with Jorginho taking his place.

The decision to withdraw Ødegaard, who has struggled to complete 90 minutes in recent Premier League games, sparked speculation about a potential lingering injury.

However, Arteta was quick to clarify his reasoning. “With Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something,” Arteta explained.

“With Martin, it was purely tactical. I understand the reaction. If Ethan comes in and scores, it’s seen as a great substitution. If he doesn’t, then people question why I took my captain off. That’s football.

”Arteta’s call was the latest instance of Ødegaard being substituted early, marking the fifth consecutive league game where the skipper hasn’t seen out the match.

Reflecting on the result, Arteta voiced his frustration with the team’s inability to convert their dominance into a win.

“It’s very disappointing not to take all three points. We didn’t concede a single shot on or off target, created plenty of opportunities, but we couldn’t score,” he said.

The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who also hold a game in hand.

The Gunners will now turn their focus to the EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, where they’ll aim to regain momentum and rediscover their cutting edge.

For Arteta and his players, the goal is clear: turning control and creativity into decisive victories.