Mikel Arteta reveals reason for Martin Odegaard substitution

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Martin Odegaard was substituted against Aston Villa with a leg problem.

The Gunners suffered their first league defeat of the year on Sunday after a disappointing performance against Unai Emery's side.

They lacked the cutting edge in the final third of the pitch and were eventually made to rue for missed chances with two goals conceded.

Late on in the game, Odegaard was surprisingly substituted by the manager and when pressed on this, Arteta said that he had an issue.

He told BBC Sport: "He had a leg issue, that's why [he was taken off]."

The Gunners missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League and they are now two points behind Manchester City in the standings.

City are now overwhelming favourites to win the league for the fourth season running. They should be fancied to win their final six games.

Arsenal need a huge turnaround of results to outwit Pep Guardiola's side and end their two-decade wait for the English crown.