Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained the surprise decision to take off captain Martin Odegaard against Everton.
The Gunners missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool after being held to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The North London have now drawn back-to-back games in the Premier League and they found it tough to break down the Toffees, with Arteta revealing Odegaard's withdrawal was tactical.
Read: Arsenal's title hopes dented as Liverpool drop points
"With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something.' Arteta said, as per Daily mail.
"With Martin it was tactical. I understand. If Ethan comes in and scores it's a great sub. If he doesn't you've taken your captain off. It's football.
"Very disappointing not to win the game. I mean we don't concede any shots on target, off target, they don't run at all, you don't concede any set pieces, you have chances. It's about scoring goal and we didn't do that today,
"We opened them up we had the chances, at the end you have to put them away. We had to run back"
"High press, we regained every ball. I cannot ask much more of the team. Everton got a point, I think they have to be happy.
"We fully deserved to win the game. We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn't score a goal.
"Look at the intensity of what we generated in the second half. [Frustrating] especially when we concede zero [chances] and dominate the game so much."