Arsenal is currently dealing with a defensive injury crisis, with both Gabriel and Jurrien Timber limping off in their victory over Fulham on Tuesday. However, it was the Gunners’ attack that raised eyebrows when they returned to action at Everton.
Mikel Arteta made five changes for the trip to Goodison Park, likely with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. This included a completely changed attack as Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard were named in the starting XI, with Mikel Merino moving back into his preferred midfield role.
As a result, with youngster Ethan Nwaneri retaining his place, Arteta benched stars Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka continued as a substitute following his recent return from a hamstring injury.
Thomas Partey also dropped out from the side that beat Fulham, with Jorginho stepping into midfield as captain. Meanwhile, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior replaced the injured Timber and Gabriel.
While Arteta’s rotation ahead of facing Real Madrid on Tuesday is understandable, his selection – and choice of substitutes – suggests that Arsenal is now prioritising the Champions League over their dwindling hopes of challenging for the Premier League title.
Before its match against Everton, Arsenal was trailing Liverpool, the league leaders, by 12 points with just eight games remaining. The Reds only need a maximum of 13 points to secure the championship, and their upcoming matches include a visit from Arsenal to Anfield.
Injuries have been a significant issue for the Gunners this season, particularly in their attacking line-up, with both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz ruled out for the rest of the season.
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These injuries, along with extended absences for Saka and Martinelli, have ultimately hindered Arsenal’s title pursuit and allowed Liverpool to extend its lead.
It was therefore surprising to see Arteta choose an attacking trio of Nwaneri, Trossard and Sterling for the away game at Everton, especially considering they had only previously been used together in the Premier League due to injury issues elsewhere.
Before the trip to Goodison Park, Sterling had only started four Premier League games since his loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea last summer. His most recent start was in February, away at Leicester City, which was also the only other time he started alongside Nwaneri and Trossard in the English top-flight.
That day, Arsenal needed Merino to come off the bench as an emergency striker to secure a 2-0 win. Since then, Arteta has continued to use him in this role, with former Liverpool winger Sterling being the one to make way. Meanwhile, Saka and Odegaard have each only made one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season.
Despite Arteta’s insistence in February that Arsenal would not abandon its pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race, his team selection against Everton seems to suggest a shift in focus. It appears the Gunners have accepted the unlikelihood of catching up with the Reds’ significant lead and are now prioritizing their Champions League campaign.
