Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defends 'tactical' substitute Martin Odegaard against Everton as Arne Slot hails Liverpool's character in Fulham draw | Football news

Mikel Arteta defended his decision to substitute Martin Odegaard as Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Everton and missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal captain Odegaard was withdrawn along with Declan Rice after 62 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, with Ethan Nwaneri and Jorginho brought on in their places.

But while Rice's replacement was sent off due to a gruesome injury, Arteta later confirmed that the decision to remove Odegaard was due to “tactical reasons” and was not fitness-related.

The Gunners struggled to create chances without the Norway international in the closing stages as they failed to capitalize in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield.

“With Declan, I had to take him out because he was feeling something,” Arteta said. “And with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change their rhythm, especially on that side.

“If Ethan comes in and visits, is it a good sub? If you don't, you've taken your cap out. That's football.

“(He had the same answer) as (Gabriel) Martinelli, as anyone. I'm sure they want to keep playing in the 90 minutes. But that's why we have the subs. To try to help the team.

Odegaard was not at his best in the game, forcing a couple of chances in the first half and failing to create chances as Arsenal failed to extend their lead for the second league game in a row consecutive after their 1-1 draw with Fulham.

But it was still a shock to see him taken off, given his importance, and the changes didn't have the desired effect for Arteta, with Arsenal unable to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities. created in the closing stages as the visitors inspired by Jordan Pickford held out for. a hard earned point.

“I feel very disappointed that I didn't win the game, because obviously there's only one team that deserves to win, that's Arsenal,” Arteta said. “We didn't take anything away, we didn't conceded any shot, we controlled direct play, we didn't let them run, no set pieces, our high press was excellent.

“We created the chances, but in the last 20 meters the goals were missing, and that's what you have to do with every leadership. But I can't ask for much more from the boys, other than to put the ball in the net. “

A very happy slot with Liverpool character

Meanwhile at Anfield, Liverpool fought back to secure a 2-2 draw, thanks to Diogo Jota's late equaliser, after Andrew Robertson was sent off for a late foul in the 17th minute.

Arne Slot was delighted with his side's character as they maintained their six-point lead over Arsenal and said Robertson was punished for playing on injured.

“The character that the team showed, that's what Robbo showed,” Slot said. “If you get a kick like this, two studs on your knee, it can hurt for a few minutes. If you keep running and it gets better and better, that's what we were hoping for.

“I only had one defender on the bench, who is not a left-back, so you hope he managed to get through and did very well.

“But when I noticed he wasn't quite himself the only time they put the ball in behind him and he started running and he was able to go back to Ali (Alisson Becker).

“I was like 'Hmm, OK, we'll see how this goes' and I think it was shortly after that that he conceded the red card.

“Nothing to blame, the character showed he wanted to get on with it as he was hit very hard by two studs. Unfortunately, that led to a well-deserved red card.”

Slot praised his players, who extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points when second-placed Chelsea play Brentford on Sunday.

“I think it's just the opposite from Girona (midweek win in the Champions League) where I was happy but not the performance,” he said.

“Here I'm very happy with the performance, I couldn't have asked for more, but of course not with the result because if you drop points in a home game against Fulham it's not sure you expect and want.

“But yes, being a goal twice, it all goes against you, except for one thing, which is our players and fans, I thought we were outstanding. “