Mikel Arteta has defended his decision to substitute Eberechi Eze at half-time during Arsenal's tense 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Eze, who scored his first goal of the season in the midweek Champions League win against Lille, retained his place in the starting lineup for the trip. However, he struggled to make an impact in a quiet first half and was replaced by Noni Madueke, who went on to score the winning goal.
Arteta explains the tactical switch
Asked about the early change, Arteta said: 'The way they were defending, the two units outside, the two midfielders were creating without having a real threat in behind of just forcing Munoz to a different type of game. They were more comfortable.'
He added: 'That's what we have, different players with different qualities and adapt to what the game is delivering.'
Eze was seen slumped in the dugout during the second half as Arsenal secured the three points that kept them close to leaders Manchester City.
Arteta responds to Eze's reaction
When asked about Eze's apparent frustration, Arteta said: 'Three days ago he scored a goal, he should have scored three and we were all happy. This is football, one day is brilliant and especially with attacking players to play a team which defends with 10 players around the box, the nine dropping almost at the edge with that chemistry it's extremely difficult to get in there.'
He continued: 'That's why you need fresh legs, a different profile and try fresh things.'
Impact of the substitutes
Alongside Madueke, the contributions of Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyokeres, and Mikel Merino helped the defending champions secure the win. Arteta praised the squad's depth, saying: 'Some of them played three days ago and some of them will start the next game and they know that everyone has to be at it. If you are needed after 60 minutes, 45 minutes and sometimes two minutes – we have a squad now that can deliver in moments and we have to use that.'
He added: 'Noni [Madueke], Jurrien [Timber], Mikel [Merino] was brilliant when he came on and Viktor [Gyokeres] really changed the game – all of them did and that's what we need. Noni obviously the highlight because he scored the goal and that's the difference.'
Reflecting on the match, Arteta noted: 'Sometimes you can get frustrated with teams who are difficult to break down. First half we didn't have a shot on target and that's something we discussed. We had another two big ones in the second half but the only one on target we had was a little deflection and it's in.'
He concluded: 'Great reaction [after scoring goal], to have the will to defend a really open and difficult and stressful situation.'
