Mikel Arteta has revealed why he elected to bring Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard off in the second half of their clash with Everton.
With Manchester City in the midst of a historic slump and Liverpool dropping points against Fulham, the Gunners had a golden opportunity to reignite their title charge on Saturday.
Everton travelled to the Emirates having won just one of their away games in the Premier League this season, whilst languishing close to the relegation zone.
However, despite dominating possession throughout the clash and creating numerous chances, the hosts failed to find a way in front.
With an opening goal still eluding them after the interval, Arteta made the bold decision to bring off his skipper, replacing the Norwegian with teenager Ethan Nwaneri just after the hour mark.
Declan Rice also made way, to be replaced by Jorginho, but Arsenal were still unable to break the deadlock and the game ended goalless.
Mikel Arteta has insisted his decision to bring off captain Martin Odegaard against Everton was purely tactical
Odegaard made way just after the hour mark with the Gunners chasing an opening goal
The decision marked the fifth time in as many Premier League games that Odegaard has failed to see our the 90
The move led to speculation that Odegaard could still be carrying an injury after recently returning from a spell on the sidelines but Arteta insisted the decision was purely a tactical one.
‘With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something.’ Arteta explained.
‘With Martin it was tactical. I understand. If Ethan comes in and scores it’s a great sub. If he doesn’t you’ve taken your captain off. It’s football.’
The decision marked the fifth consecutive league game in which Odegaard has been brought off since returning from injury, with a 1-1 draw with Chelsea last month marking the only time the club captain has managed to see out the 90.
Back-to-back draws have left Arsenal six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Arteta vented his frustration that his side were unable to find a goal that would allow them to keep pace with their title rivals.
He continued: ‘Very disappointing not to win the game. I mean we don’t concede any shots on target, off target, they don’t run at all, you don’t concede any set pieces, you have chances. It’s about scoring goal and we didn’t do that today,
‘We opened them up we had the chances, at the end you have to put them away. We had to run back.
Despite a host of chances, the hosts were unable to break the deadlock at the Emirates
A draw sees the Gunners remain six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand
‘High press, we regained every ball. I cannot ask much more of the team. Everton got a point, I think they have to be happy.
‘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.
‘Look at the intensity of what we generated in the second half. [Frustrating] especially when we concede zero [chances] and dominate the game so much.’
The Gunners will look to get back to winning ways when they host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates on Wednesday, before travelling to Selhurst Park to face the Eagles in the league three days later.