Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has discussed the reason for substituting Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori amid injury concerns for the pair.
It came following another frustrating night for the Gunners in the Premier League as they took on Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal struggled to create many opportunities at the City Ground, with neither team able to open the scoring in a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Supporters were left frustrated as the title race has seemingly slipped out of the side’s hands, with the focus now shifting to the Champions League.
Following the clash, there were concerns surrounding Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori as the duo were brought off early in the tie when chasing a goal.
Mikel Arteta explains Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri decision
Supporters were left baffled as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made two changes during the draw with Nottingham Forest despite chasing the game.
At half-time, Riccardo Calafiori was withdrawn, despite looking like a huge threat when playing as an auxiliary striker.
Later on in the match, Ethan Nwaneri was withdrawn too, sparking injury fears over the pair and their availability.
Fortunately, though, it appears as though the decision wasn’t down to serious issues for either as explained by the head coach after the match.
Nwaneri suffered a cramp against West Ham and seemingly struggled with the same issue again this match, sparking the move.
As for Calafiori, his yellow card in the first half was seemingly in the mind of Arteta, who brought him off to avoid another sending-off.
It means, fortunately, that the pair should be available for next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven.
That won’t, however, bring back the missed points opportunity in the league for the Gunners that have now slipped by.
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Mikel Arteta made mistake with Arsenal substitutes
Arsenal will be left frustrated as it seems as though they can’t outrun their problems, especially on the injury front.
However, with the title seeming such a long shot, it hasn’t been the time for Arteta to play it safe with his decisions.
The Gunners showed plenty of threat up front with Calafiori on the pitch and while it led to the possibility of a red card, it wasn’t the biggest concern.
Discipline has come into question this season, but it is beyond the point of saving those dropped points now.
Instead, the chance to take a risk and keep Calafiori on was one that was dismissed, picking the safer option overall.
It’s a decision that may have cost the side in the end and leaves them even further from the top.
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