Arteta explains decision to bench Magalhaes and responds to Madrid rumours

Arsenal picked up their second consecutive 2023/2024 Premier League win after securing a narrow victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Odegaard's second-half goal from the penalty spot was enough for the Gunners to take all three points.

Arteta decided to play with the same defense as in their opener against Forest with the exception of Jurrien Timber, who has suffered an ACL injury. However, despite many exppecting that Gabriel Magalhaes would replace him, it was Tomiyasu who came into the starting eleven.

In recent days, the Brazilian center-back has been linked with a possible move to Saudi Arabia. In addition, according to the 'Daily Mail', Real Madrid are also willing to make a move for the Arsenal defender to fill the gap left by Militao after the Merengue defender ruptured his ACL.

The Gunners boss was asked in the press room after the win over the Eagles whether his decision to bench the Brazilian centre-back had anything to do with a possible exit from the English club, to which the Spaniard responded: "It’s about the games we were expecting, that I was expecting, and how I wanted to defend and attack and what I believed was the best thing.

"He’s played in both games, he helped us to win both games for different reasons. He was really good today, he absolutely dominated the box when he came on and he’s going to play a lot of games. But that’s the decision sometimes," concluded the Spanish coach. 

 

August 22, 2023