Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has clarified the reasoning behind dropping four first-team players, including Thomas Partey, for Saturday’s match at Goodison Park against Everton.
Partey was omitted from the starting lineup, along with captain Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. Later in the match, Ødegaard, Saka, and Martinelli were substituted in, while Partey remained unused.
Arteta explained that the decision was precautionary after the injury to defender Gabriel Magalhães in the previous match against Fulham.
“There were four players that couldn’t start the game after what happened with Fulham, and obviously the injury to Gabi, so that forced us to make some changes,” Arteta said during the post-match press conference.
“Players deserve to play minutes, so I’m very happy with that. Everybody has to be important and feel important. With so many games coming up, we have to rely on all of them.”
Meanwhile, Partey is expected to return to the starting lineup for Arsenal’s upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
