Loss of Mikel Arteta can not be understated

After receiving a relatively negative reaction to a previous article suggesting Everton’s season and future may not be as rosy as previous years, I decided to look at something that has been detrimental to the start of the clubs season; injuries and in particular the absence of Mikel Arteta.

Many people may have forgotten about midfielder Mikel Arteta; however Everton fans will not have. The Spaniard is one of the Toffee’s most creative and influential players and has been sorely missed since rupturing a cruciate ligament in a Premier League match at St. James’ Park in February of this year.

Everton have experienced a slow start to the season, having been hampered by injuries. Several influential first team players such as club captain Phil Neville and centre back Phil Jagielka have joined Arteta in the treatment room and their absence has been missed on the field at Goodison Park. Everton fans will therefore have been devastated at the recent news that Arteta had to undergo a third operation on his knee a fortnight ago, after it contracted an infection.

Both Everton fans an Arteta himself will be cursing their luck in a season that so far has not gone their way. It only takes a look at the statistics to realise just how much of an influential player Arteta is to the Merseyside club.  Predominantly executed as a winger by manager David Moyes, Arteta is able to also play in a central midfield role and he is the fulcrum of many of Everton’s attacks. The Spaniard has picked up the Player of the Year award at Goodison Park on numerous occasions as well as other accolades within the Premier League. In the 2006-07 season, Arteta was rated as the sixth most effective player in the whole of the Premier League and it is fair to say that he has played a huge part in the success Everton have enjoyed under David Moyes.

Arteta’s pace and close control often result in him being fouled by defenders, allowing him to showcase his dead ball specialities. His set pieces are likely to be the biggest aspect of his game that has been missed, especially by fellow midfielder Tim Cahill, whose ability to head the ball is often noted a revered by many in the league.

Despite Mikel Arteta’s absence, Everton fans have been offered some good news by the midfield maestro. In a game where loyalty is sometimes hard to find, with players coming and going between clubs all too quickly, Arteta has talked of his realisation of the Merseyside clubs importance to him. Highlighting what many people believe of Everton, Arteta talks of the unity and team spirit that the Toffees have, stating “People say we are a family – we really are. We really are different and we really do things differently from other clubs.” He adds “You never know how long you are going to spend with a club, but what I can say is that I can see myself finishing my career at Everton. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.”

The news will come as somewhat of a consolation to Everton fans. It will not bring Arteta back to fitness any sooner, with there still being question marks over his expected return date, but it will give them the added bonus of knowing that once back one of their most important players plans to stay there, quite possibly for good. It will give Everton fans even more of a reason to welcome the Spaniard back when he finally returns to fitness and they will be hoping he can help them climb their way up the Premier League table.