Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an explanation for one of the big decisions he made on Sunday as the Gunners welcomed Newcastle to the Emirates stadium.

Following the squad’s return from the mid-season trip to Dubai, Arsenal had to face Newcastle in the Premier League as they targeted an unlikely spot in the top four.

Mike Arteta made the decision to change his line-up from the Burnley game with a couple of fringe players receiving the chance to impress the manager.

The Arsenal boss chose to drop Alexandre Lacazette – an earner of £182,000-a-week wages (Mirror) – who was on a long goal drought prior to Sunday’s game.

Arteta’s decision to demote the Frenchman to the bench saw Eddie Nketiah receive a rare start in the Premier League.

After the 4-0 win over the Magpies, the Gunners boss revealed that what he had seen in training influenced his decision to drop Lacazette for a younger option upfront.

“The message is very clear, whoever trains like they do and I see that they have the abilities, the quality and their hunger like he’s done to perform today, he’s got a chance to play. Today I decided to play Eddie because he has been training in a phenomenal way, I decided for him not to go on loan and to stay and as well I have to support that decision.” he said as per Arsenal.com

“Laca has been playing all the games with me, he hasn’t scored and I told him the decision why and he accepted really well. I said ‘come out and you will score a goal’, he did and I’m so pleased not just for the goal, but for the reaction of all his teammates and the staff.

“They showed how much they love him and the reason why is because this guy works his balls off every day.”

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