Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on his decisions to substitute Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice during the team’s 0-0 draw against Everton on Saturday, clarifying that while Odegaard’s withdrawal was tactical, Rice had to leave the field due to an injury concern.
In what was a sluggish performance from Arsenal, Arteta made notable changes around the hour mark, replacing Odegaard and Rice with Jorginho and young talent Ethan Nwaneri.
These substitutions, particularly the decision to take off Odegaard, Arsenal’s creative linchpin, sparked curiosity and debate among fans. Arteta explained that the move was intended to bring a fresh dynamic to the game, particularly on Odegaard’s side of the pitch.
“I understand the surprise,” Arteta acknowledged when discussing the reactions to his decision. “If Ethan comes in and scores a goal, it’s a great decision. If he doesn’t, you’ve taken your captain out, and people will question it.
That’s football.” He emphasized the role of substitutions in altering the course of a game, adding, “I’m sure they wanted to play 90 minutes, but we have substitutes for moments like this, to try to help the team.”
The decision to replace Declan Rice, however, was not strategic but necessitated by a physical issue. Arteta revealed that Rice had been managing a minor niggle throughout the week leading up to the match. During the game, Rice reported feeling discomfort, prompting his substitution to avoid exacerbating the problem.
“With Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something,” Arteta explained. “He’s been dealing with a little niggle for the past week, and when he asked to come off, we had to respect that and make the change.”
Arteta also elaborated on the reasoning behind bringing in Nwaneri, who is seen as a promising young talent within the squad. The manager expressed confidence in the teenager’s ability to make an impact but acknowledged the inherent risk in such decisions.
While the substitutions did not lead to the desired breakthrough, they highlighted Arteta’s willingness to make bold decisions to influence the game.
However, the sight of two of Arsenal’s key players leaving the field underscored the challenges Arsenal faced in a match where they struggled to find rhythm.
The team will now be keen to assess Rice’s condition ahead of their upcoming fixtures as they continue their pursuit of silverware this season.
