Mikel Arteta replaced Eberechi Eze with Noni Madueke at half-time and his substitute scored Arsenal’s winner against Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta claims how Nottingham Forest defended as he replaced Eberechi Eze with Noni Madueke at the City Ground.
Madueke came on for Eze at half-time and the former Chelsea winger scored Arsenal’s winner on Sunday evening. The goal was his first against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park since the final day of last season.
Arteta selected Madueke to replace the injured Christos Tzolis against Leeds United last weekend, but initially opted for Eze in the East Midlands. However, the former Palace man closed after 45 minutes with a conversion that proved inspired by his influence.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the substitution, Arteta said the reason why Eze was sent off was “the way they (Forest) defended”.
The manager also touched on Wednesday’s Champions League game against Lille, where Eze scored his first goal of the season. Arteta admitted: “Three days ago he scored one goal and should have scored three goals and we are all happy.
Eze had three shots on target at the Emirates Stadium and had two blocked. Arteta concluded: “So this is football; that’s why you need fresh legs, a different profile and trying different things.”
On the difference between the two players, Ian Wright said on Sky Sports: “It’s very difficult for him at the moment. Madueke has that pace but Eze is more of a moment player.
“He likes to come on the field, but it will be very difficult for him to get into the team in these positions.
“It looks like he will be on the left, but when he has the ball, he needs players around him. Taking someone on is not his main skill. In the middle of the pitch, he can go left or right, but he was a bit isolated.
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“I would go [if I were Eze]. Regardless, he won’t be one of the first team – he’ll be in and out of the team like Gyokeres and Madueke, so he needs to take the opportunity and do what he does.
“Like in the first half, I thought he was going to take him off. I didn’t think he was going to be at half-time, he has a guilty conscience. I’d rather the manager sacked me because I’ve got nothing to show for it, I’m trying everything. He hasn’t really done anything; I think he’s just got to go and force the issue because the manager isn’t going to pick him anyway.
“Eze’s ability and what he’s capable of is up to him, but it feels difficult for him at the moment; you can see it’s not happening for him.”