Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a detailed explanation for his decision to substitute Eberechi Eze at half-time during the Gunners' 1-1 Premier League draw away at Brentford. The result means Arsenal's lead at the top of the table has been extended to just four points, with Manchester City maintaining intense pressure in the title race.
Arteta's Tactical Shift at the Break
Eze, the England international, managed only 17 touches in a disappointing first-half attacking display from Arsenal, who registered just a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. He was replaced by captain Martin Odegaard at the interval, a change that sparked an improved performance from the visitors in the second period.
"Because with the way that they were pressing," Arteta stated. "I think we needed another kind of profile to generate many more problems for them around those areas and I think [Odegaard] came on in the pitch really well and the team had another gear and more threat to arrive to the areas that we wanted to do and that's the decision."
Eze's Ongoing Struggles for Arsenal
For Eze, the 27-year-old's difficulties in an Arsenal shirt continued. He has now failed to score or provide an assist in the Premier League since his memorable north London derby hat-trick against Tottenham in November. This match marked his first league start since mid-December, with the attacking midfielder also having seen limited minutes in recent weeks.
"Well I think he had moments and it's not easy when you move to a new club, it's always like this and when you play against a team that is like this," Arteta commented on Eze's performance. "The ball is a lot of times not on the floor and you have to be constantly breaking the play and do that, especially for attacking and creative players, it's more difficult."
Match Analysis: A Chaotic Encounter
The game itself saw Noni Madueke give Brentford the lead, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to equalise for Arsenal. The visitors could have snatched victory late on, but Gabriel Martinelli was denied by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in a frantic finale.
Brentford posed a constant threat from set-pieces, including corners and long throws, which Arteta acknowledged as a significant challenge. "We scored the goal and the game was under total control," he reflected. "But against them, that's not enough because they just need somebody making a foul that is unnecessary, a ball in the channel, they push you, the clearance is not good, a throw-in, and then you have to pray because they are exceptional at what they do."
Arteta added: "The chaos that is in, and around that ball is very, very difficult to defend. We said to the players: 'If you want to win here, you're going to have to defend the box with your life'. We didn't do that on one of the actions, but they deserve credit, too."
Narrow Escape for the Gunners
Arsenal were fortunate not to lose the match in stoppage time. Defender Cristhian Mosquera made a crucial intervention to stop Brentford's top scorer Igor Thiago, who then blazed over when clean through on goal moments later. This late drama underscored the precarious nature of Arsenal's position, with their title advantage remaining slender as the season progresses.
