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Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gives an interview ahead of the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park (Image: AFP )

Arsenal are currently facing something of a defensive injury crisis after seeing both Gabriel and Jurrien Timber limp off in their victory over Fulham on Tuesday night.

But it was the Gunners’ attack rather than backline that prompted raised eyebrows when they returned to action away at Everton.

Mikel Arteta made five changes to his side for the trip to Goodison Park, with the Spaniard no doubt having one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.



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But that included naming a fully changed attack as Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard came into the starting XI, with Mikel Merino dropping back into his preferred midfield role.

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Consequently, with teenager Ethan Nwaneri keeping his place, Arteta benched star men Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka continued as substitute following his recent return from a hamstring injury.

Thomas Partey also dropped out from the side that beat Fulham, with Jorginho coming into midfield as captain.

Meanwhile, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior replaced the injured Timber and Gabriel.

While it is understandable why Arteta would rotate ahead of facing Real Madrid on Tuesday, his selection - and choice of substitutes - would suggest that Arsenal are now prioritising the Champions League over their dwindling hopes of challenging for the Premier League title.

Before facing Everton, the Gunners trailed league-leaders Liverpool by 12 points with eight games left to play.

The Reds need a maximum of only 13 points to be crowned champions, with their run-in including the visit of Arsenal to Anfield.

The Gunners have been plagued by injuries this season, particularly in attack, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both ruled out for the campaign.

Combined with lengthy absences for Saka and Martinelli, it has ultimately undermined their title-charge and enabled Liverpool’s lead over them to grow.

So it was curious to see Arteta select an attack of Nwaneri, Trossard and Sterling away at Everton, with the trio having previously only been used in the Premier League when enforced by injury elsewhere.

Prior to the trip to Goodison Park, Sterling had only started four Premier League matches since joining Arsenal on loan from Chelsea last summer.

The most recent came away at Leicester City in February, on the only other occasion he joined Nwaneri and Trossard in attack from the start in the English top-flight.

The Gunners needed Merino to emerge off the bench as an emergency striker that day to claim a 2-0 victory.

Arteta has persisted with him in the role ever since, prior to facing Everton, with former Liverpool winger Sterling the man to make way as a result.

Meanwhile, Saka and Odegaard have only been used as substitutes once apiece in the Premier League this season.

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While Arteta insisted back in February that Arsenal would not give up pursuing Liverpool in the Premier League title-race, his selection against Everton would suggest otherwise and that the Gunners are now resigned to missing out on the title, given the Reds' hefty lead, as they instead switch attention to the Champions League.


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