Arsenal football club manager Mikel Arteta has said his side deserved to win the match against Everton in their English Premier League clash at the Emirate stadium.
In a post-match conference on Saturday, Arteta explained how Arsenal created chances against the Toffees.
“I feel very disappointed not to win the game, because obviously there is only one team which deserves to win, which is Arsenal,” added Arteta.
“We gave nothing away, no shots conceded, dominated the direct play, didn’t allow them to run, no set-pieces, our high-press was excellent.
“We generated the chances, but in the last 20 metres the goals were missing the goals, which is what you have to do with all the dominance. But I cannot ask much more of the boys, apart from putting the ball in the net.”
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 to leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal captain Odegaard was withdrawn along with Declan Rice after 62 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, with Ethan Nwaneri and Jorginho introduced in their places.
But while Rice’s substitution was put down to a niggling injury, Arteta confirmed afterwards that the decision to take off Odegaard was down to “tactical reasons” and not fitness-related.
The Gunners struggled to create chances without the Norway international during the closing stages as they failed to capitalise on Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield.
“With Declan, I had to take him out because he was feeling something,” said Arteta. “And with Martin it was a tactical decision to try to change their rhythm, especially on that side.
“If Ethan comes in and scores a goal, is he a great sub? If he doesn’t, you have taken your captain out. That’s football.
“[His reaction] was the same reaction as [Gabriel] Martinelli, as anybody. I’m sure that they want to continue to play the 90 minutes. But that’s why we have the subs. To try to help the team.”
Odegaard had not been at his best during the game, spurning a couple of presentable opportunities in the first half and not creating any chances as Arsenal failed to make their dominance count for the second consecutive league game following their 1-1 draw with Fulham.
But it was still surprising to see him taken off, given his importance, and the changes did not have the desired impact for Arteta, with Arsenal unable to create any clear scoring opportunities in the closing stages as the Jordan Pickford-inspired visitors held out for a hard-earned point.
