By Pedro Ayobami
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on his decision to substitute midfield duo Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice during the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Everton on Sunday. The substitutions, which saw Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri introduced into the fray, raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
When quizzed about the second-half changes, Arteta revealed that Rice’s substitution was necessitated by a minor injury concern. “Declan, I had to take him off because he was feeling something,” Arteta explained. In contrast, Ødegaard’s withdrawal was a tactical decision aimed at altering the game’s rhythm.
Arteta acknowledged that substituting his captain, Ødegaard, was a bold move, but one he felt was necessary to inject fresh impetus into the team’s attack. “With Martin, it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm, especially on that side,” he said. “I understand that if Ethan comes in and scores a goal, it’s a great sub; if he doesn’t, then you’ve taken your captain out. That’s football.”
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