Eddie Nketiah was surprisingly benched (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defended his decision to bench Eddie Nketiah after the Gunners’ FA Cup third round defeat to Liverpool.

The Gunners were sent crashing out of the competition after Liverpool’s 2-0 win at the Emirates, which came thanks to two late goals.

Arsenal dominated in the opening 45 minutes, and could have put the game to bed by half-time on account of the chances they created.

But, as has been the case of late, Arsenal failed to make their dominance pay with some charitable finishing in attack.

With Gabriel Jesus absent through injury, Nketiah had been expected to start.

But the Englishman was overlooked in favour of Kai Havertz, and the German failed to seize his opportunity with some questionable finishing throughout.

But Arteta defended his decision and suggested that his tactics – which had been to press a makeshift Liverpool back four – had worked because of his decision to pick Havertz.

Havertz failed his audition in attack. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Asked about his decision to bench Nketiah, Arteta said: ‘It was for the reasons that we expected, especially in the first part of the game what we wanted. That’s it.’

Arteta did eventually bring on Nketiah but Liverpool had gained a foothold in the game by the time of his introduction.

Arsenal are keen on signing a new centre forward this month but finances are tight at the Emirates.

Ivan Toney, the club’s number one target, is valued at £100m by Brentford.