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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.

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.

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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

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.


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