Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed his decision to withdraw Martin Odegaard in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Everton was purely tactical, but Declan Rice had to leave the game because of an injury scare.
In a slow, lethargic performance, Arteta made the surprise decision to replace both Odegaard and Rice on the hour mark, with Jorginho and young Ethan Nwaneri coming on in place of the superstar duo.
The sight of Arsenal’s chief creator leaving the field raised eyebrows among fans, and Arteta has admitted he felt Nwaneri had the potential to offer something different to the Gunners captain.
“I understand [the surprise],” Arteta acknowledged. “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.”
Rice, however, complained of a potential injury shortly before his departure from the game.
“With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something,” Arteta said. “With Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change their rhythm on that side.
“[Rice] has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He asked to be subbed in that moment, so we have to do it.”
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