Surgery To Cure Stomach Injury

Mikel has had surgery in a bid to cure the stomach injury which has troubled him for the latter half of the season.

Mick Rathbone says: "Mikel had surgery to release the tension around the muscles. Hopefully that will cure it and he will be fit for pre-season. Mikel has had the problem since before Christmas and has managed to play most of the games. He has done everything to play."

Staying

Moyesy must be getting a little worried about the constant rumours regarding Mikky's future, but he insists he will be at Everton next year.

Moyesy says: "I haven't had one phone call about Arteta. He signed a new five-year deal a few months ago and every indication is he wants to stay."(05/05/08)

See You Next Season

Mikky Arteta is out for the rest of the season with his troublesome abdominal strain finally getting the better of him. Mikky will miss the visit to the Emirates this Sunday then the last game of the season against the Skunks at Goodison a week on Sunday. See you next season Mikky, get yourself fit, as we have another European Tour to get on.

Moyesy says: "He’s had an injury and hasn’t been comfortable with since maybe Christmas time. We’ve given him opportunities to go back to Spain and see a specialist who he wants to work with over there. He’s played some games, he’s missed training and I think that it is affecting his form. So I think that in fairness I think that we have to say that he will be out and won’t feature until the start of next season. But we’ll do everything we can and he is doing everything he can to get himself back fit." (02/05/08)

I Want To Stay At Everton

With his agent doing what agents do best, talk shite and Mikky not playing to his high standards recently, some media outlets and supporters are putting 1+1 together and getting 3. Arteta himself has always said he is happy at Everton and recently signed a new contract until 2012. This week while back in Spain for treatment on his injured groin/stomach he has again reiterated he is happy at Everton and has no plans to leave.

Mikky says: "It is my fourth season here. I am not thinking of returning to Spain. I am very happy here and want to stay for more seasons. You are relaxed here. The journalists put you under less pressure than in Spain. Here it is different. Spaniards in England are very happy, because we can live our life." (15/04/08)

Mikky Touted Again

Mikky Arteta's Agent is once again touting his star pupil round the big three clubs in England, and a host of top clubs abroad by insisting that if Mikky had a higher profile he would have walked into the Spanish set up by now. Now Senor Ibanez who has recently attended the Paul Stretford (Wayne Rooney's Agent) School of Charm and Integrity for Football Agents needs once and for all to shut up and crawl back under his rock, or even better Mikky needs to give him one of his size seven boot up his Spanish jacksi.

Senor Ibanez says: "Mikel deserves better. If he was at one of the best four clubs in England or Spain he would be an international." (03/04/08)

Gotcha - Well Nearly

Gotcha, well at least 40 plus of you anyway, who either mailed us, phoned and texted to ask were did we get our info from regarding Mikky and his call up to the Spanish Army. OK hundreds more of you cottoned onto the date, and our pathetic attempt to have you believe that we were to lose our Spanish Magician to National Service. Believe me after putting at least ten minutes aside thinking up an Aprils Fool's jape, this was the best we could come up with. At least we never went with Sausages, which involved some candles, an electrical strike, a night match, and some firewood, don't ask, really don't ask. Back to the Stella Sausage. (02/04/08)

Bad news today for all Blues fans in that Mikky Arteta has been called up to the Spanish Army for his National Service. Mikky has until his 27th birthday (March 2009) to start his year in the forces, and no one we are told is able to avoid their National Duty. Up to a few years ago your passage into the Army could be bought out, but a rule change in 2006 has led to Mikky and several other Spanish players having to do their time. It is not known when Mikky will leave us for a year, but it will be between now and March 2009. Jesus that's all we need.

Army Spokesman Lirpa Ehttsrif says: "Unfortunately no one is exempt, be you a footballer or a matador. It is only a year of your life for our Nation, and no one will be in any danger of front line action." (01/04/08)

Thank You

Mikky says thanks to the fans and wants to reward them with a great run in in the league.

Mikky says: “We need to be proud of the way we performed and I want to thank the crowd, I think they have been terrific. Obviously we’re all disappointed because we wanted to get through and we had it in our own hands but we couldn’t make it. But I don’t think it will make any difference to the league.

“We’re going along with really high confidence at the moment and what we have to do is relax and get ready for Sunday’s game because it’s going to be massive.”(15/03/08)

No Niggles, No Pain

Everton's superb win at Sunderland put us back into joint fourth place, and it was also notable for the first full ninety minutes Mikky Arteta has played for a month or so after his groin problem. Mikky came through the full ninety and felt no niggles or pain from his injury, and all bodes well for the rest of the season.

Mikky says: "I haven’t played without pain for a long time and today was the first time. On Thursday I felt much better, so hopefully I can finish the season as I want and help the team as much as I can." (10/03/08)

Fit Again

Mikel will be fit to play on Sunday against Portsmouth. He has missed recent away games against SK Brann and Man City. During that time he has been home to Spain to have rest and specialist treatment. Only problem is who drops out for him?

Moyesy says: “Mikel has been worried about this for a few months and so have we. It’s something we hope will be cured by rest and it’s not a problem that will need surgery. He will keep getting treatment and have some injections to get him through it. We will just have to see how he is.”

Mikel says: "I have been playing in so much pain since October, it has been hard to enjoy playing with that much pain all the time. I like to enjoy my football and I want to get back to enjoying football when I am on the pitch. It has been the same problem with my stomach and groin since October. It really needs rest to get rid of it properly - and some players would be happy to sit out for eight weeks to do that - but I want to be playing and helping the team. That is why I have tried not to stop. I want to be enjoying my football - not worrying about doing something that might bring the pain back. Hopefully the time I have spent back in Spain in the last few weeks will help improve it and I will be happier playing again.

We have had a great season and we want that to keep going right until May. We are all confident we can do something special this season and it is a privilege to be part of that. I want to play as big a role as possible in helping the lads continue to get good results, both in the league and in Europe. This has been a fantastic season and I want to make sure I miss as little of it as possible, for myself, my teammates and the fans." (28/02/08)

Fit Soon

We all got a surprise when Mikky didn't play last night, but let's hope it's not a major problem. Moyesy doesn't think so.

Moyes says: "Arteta has a pubis (groin) problem. I don’t think it’s that serious, but he’s been going to Spain to see someone and get treatment on it, but it might need a little more time. I’m hoping he’s going to be back and available for Sunday. If not, then certainly Thursday.”(26/02/08)

Respect Us

With another fine win in the UEFA Cup under our belts in midweek, Mikky is hoping that a message has been sent out the rest of Europe, in that Everton are a team to be reckoned with, both at home and abroad. Jesus its great to be a Blue isn't it.

Mikky says: "We want to get respected, we’ve got some big games coming up in Europe and the Premier League as well. Fiorentina is going to be a massive game, we want to get some respect. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be difficult, Fiorentina’s players have a lot of European experience. Now everything gets tight in the UEFA Cup, we need to be ready for that. We’ve got the full squad back fit now and that’s going to help us." (23/02/08)

This Club Is Special

Mikky's ambition are to play for his beloved Spain, and as we know win some silverware in his career, but he will not be leaving the Blues to further these ambitions. It is believed in some quarters that Mikky won't break into the National Team whilst he is at the Blues, which is absolute nonsense, as we know. If Mikky carries on letting his feet do the talking it won't be long till our Spanish Matador is pulling on his National jersey, and hopefully for the Blues lifting a trophy above his head.

Mikky says: "I would love to play for my country because it's one of the biggest things you can achieve as a footballer. Everyone tells me it would be easier for me if I played in Spain. But it's too much to lose. I'm settled here, I'm happy, I love this club and I wouldn't leave just for that. Everton are a special club and the Premier League is the best place for me. The people here have more respect for footballers than any other country I have been to. In Spain everyone is under so much pressure because, if they are not playing well, the fans will be shouting abuse after 10 minutes. But in England it's different. The fans are so respectful, even when things are not going well. In Spain we would have been in big trouble.

Everton are a big club but there are other players in my position who play for bigger clubs. Of course, it shouldn't matter what club you are playing for but it is like that and it is the same for every other national team in Europe. A club like Everton needs Europe and we all believe we can reach the Champions League. It would mean finishing above Liverpool (the shite), which will be really tough, but we have done it before and we will fight to the death to do it again. We have moved forward a long way from where we were three years ago." (10/02/08)

Lets Get a Team Award

Mikel Arteta would swap all his personal awards to win some silverware for the Blues after another personal award came his way this week. Mikky scooped the Echo Sports Personality of the Year Award and coupled with his double header with his Bluekipper Starman Awards in 2006 and 2007, Mikky is collecting gongs or balsa wood fish for fun. Hopefully our Spanish Magician will add a nice shiny Trophy come May 17th at the City of Manchester Stadium to add to his ever increasing collection.

Mikky says: "I would change that straight away. If we could win something it would be amazing. We have been waiting for years to get something so we can’t wait anymore. It is going well and hopefully it is going to keep on going well and go even better. The Club is doing all the right things at the moment – everybody is delighted." (08/02/08)

Another Trophy

Well played to Mikel on winning the red Echo sports personality of the year. It's a great honour for him, but come on the trophy! I can't believe they can come up with something so over the top. Just be careful putting it on your mantlepiece next to your 2 balsa wood Blue Kipper trophies.

Mikel says: "I am delighted to win the award, but it is as much for my teammates and the manager as it is for me."

Moyesy says: "It is a great individual honour for him and great for Everton that Mikel has been recognised in the city for the work he does for us as a team. I am sure he will acknowledge his teammates, who have helped him play to the level he has for us. We are delighted we have got him. He is a big talent, an important member of our squad and the kind who will attract other top quality players because of his ability and skill level. He is a player who has helped us improve as a team and who can help us continue to improve." (05/02/08)

3 Match Ban

Following his sending off against the arse, Mikky is now facing a 3 match ban which would rule him out of tomorrow’s game at Middlesbrough, the FA Cup third round tie at home to League One Oldham Athletic and, perhaps most crucially, the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea. He has also slagged off Flammini for using the elbow.

Arteta says: “I was shielding the ball like I always do. I can’t remember any game I haven’t done that before. It was crazy. The way he sent me off he was stupid because he hadn’t even blown the whistle for the challenge. After a split second he just saw the guy on the floor and thought ‘Okay, I’ll make a decision because I made one 10 minutes before and sent someone off’. It think it was unbelievable. I don’t want to blame Fabregas because he tried to gain an advantage for his team which is normal, as I try to do as well, but I’m so down, so disappointed because of both my sending off and because I think it’s a game we should have won. We played much better than them, controlled the game but three stupid mistakes cost us the game.

Flamini put the elbow in three times. Twice to Lee Carsley and once to Tim Cahill and really badly and the referee didn’t make a decision. I’m not blaming Flamini but that decision not to punish him made the decision against me all the worse. I don’t want to talk about referees generally, but this referee on this occasion has made a shit decision. I don’t know if I’d have still got sent off. Is it still a penalty if somebody doesn’t dive?” (31/12/07)

Ironic

Isn't it ironic that come every International break our best player for a few seasons now, Mikky Arteta stays behind as his team mates head off for their respective countries. Mikky however is hoping his club form will sooner or later catch the eye of Spanish Team Manager Luis Aragones, and come next Summer he will be busy trying to win the Euro Nations Championship for Spain. If that's the case, I will be dusting my sombrero and straw donkey down for the Summer. Viva Espana

Mikky says: "I would love to go,. For me it would be one of the best things to happen in my career so I’m really looking forward to it, but I know it will be hard. Everton is not as known as three or four other teams in the Premier League but it doesn’t matter.

I’ve said many times I’m very happy here and if I can go away and play for my country that’s just a bonus. The only thing I can try to do is help Everton to become a better club and have good performances and then wait and see what happens in the summer. But I will just keep working here every day because I’m pleased to be here." (30/11/07)

Magician

There is plenty of praise going around at the moment. None more than the stuff everyone's saying about the best little Spaniard we know. But what's more important than anything is Mikel is really enjoying himself at the club.

Moyesy says "I think I’m demanding of Mikel, but I said to him today he’s a fantastic talent and what makes him even better is that he has a bit of a British mentality. I said if he wants to reach the standards he’s set, part of it is work-rate, and in the first 45 minutes today especially he was a magician, he really was. He was fantastic.”

The MAGICIAN says: "I am really enjoying this style of football, it is different to how we have played in previous seasons since I have been here. We now have more freedom for the talent we have in the side to really show itself. We were, still are, based on a solid defence but we have more licence now to attack. Now we are scoring wonder goals and the fans like it. Work rate obviously is very important but the goals now are the bonus."

"I was trying really hard to score at the end, I was about the only one who had not got one. But I was just as pleased with the way we played. We have to be happy with that it went very well, we got the three points, particularly with a really good performance after the break, and that is what we wanted. The style in which we did it, though, was unbelievable. You do not score seven goals every week. We have to be happy with that. I do not think that we are at our peak yet, hopefully there is more to come. We are still only about eighth in the table and we certainly aim to be higher than that.

"We want to be up at the top so we have to be better and to improve. But we have the team and the coaches ready for us to improve further. I am enjoying playing in this midfield, with people like Steven and Ossie. It is certainly the best midfield, technically, I have played in at Everton. And of course we have Tim back fit as well, he is excellent and very capable of getting into the box to score goals like we saw here.

We are doing well and have some very important games coming up. Things look good but I would rather not say too much or look too far ahead, let's just see how we go and concentrate on keeping to this standard.We have a tough game at Portsmouth next and then six months still to go this season, so things can change quickly if you do not concentrate on what you are doing." (26/11/07)

I'm a Blue and Staying a Blue

Mikky Arteta the best little Spaniard we know has rubbished reports linking him with a return to Spain and Atlectico Madrid in particular. Mikky recently signed on the dotted line for another five seasons with the Blues, and he is putting down the comments attributed to him as someone in the media mischief making. An agent leaking comments, no never, it would never happen !!

Mikky says: "I don't know what the story is. I haven't talked to any papers. About five years ago I said it was a good club and I still think that. I am happy here. I think the supporters know the way I think. It is nice to be linked with big teams but for me it is a lack of respect from someone who has written something I never said and I think that is really wrong. I'm still very happy - more than happy - to be a Blue." (22/11/07)

Best in The North West

Mikky Arteta beat Ronaldo, Stevie G Laaaa and ex Blue Wayne Rooney to become the inaugural North West Player of the Year. The award which is voted for by the fans was picked up on Mikky's behalf by Club Skipper Phil Neville in Manchester on Monday evening. I am sure Bluekipper punters played their part in Magic Mikky's win.

Mikky is on the mend from his groin injury but the home clash against Sunderland still may come to soon for our midfield magician.

Mikky says: "It is always nice to receive awards recognising what you have done - but even more so when it is actually voted for by the fans. To win this ahead of some of the best players in the world, not just the northwest, makes it very special and I am enormously grateful to all those fans who voted for me. It has been a good year for me - but I hope 2008 is even better!" (13/11/07)

Lets Go To Win

With the Blues topping Group A in the UEFA Cup, Mikky is hoping we follow up our 3-1 win over Larissa with a a win in Nuremberg tomorrow night to seal qualification to the knockout stages, next year.

Mikky says: "We won the first game, which is what we wanted to take the pressure off. If we win here we are almost through I think so that is a great incentive and we must not miss any chance." (07/11/07)

100 Plus

Mikel played his 100th game for the Toffeeman against Larissa and we all hope he's here to complete at least another couple of hundred. And I've a feeling Mikky wants to as well.

Wasn't it great seeing Mikky and Tommy by the corner flag in the last couple of minutes passing the ball to each other. Well I thought it was.

Mikel says:“It was nice to win and 100 games is a good mark. I hope many more games will come. I want to achieve much more with the club so hopefully this is the start.”

"We need to start winning again and on Sunday we have to win, because we want to be right at the top again, and we have to be winning away again and playing much better and we now we have more options in the team so we can carry the team a lot better.
"We have a lot of positives, with Tim coming back and scoring with a header, Tommy’s back, so many good things.

I think Tim is a very important player for everyone. For me as well because I have a really good relationship with him and I know what a hard time he’s had with injuries, so everyone’s happy for him." (26/10/07)

No Substitute For Class

Mikky's out, Everton don't win for a few weeks, Mikky's back in and the Blues are back on the winning trail, easy isn't it. Moyesy and Stubbsey have both acknowledged Mikky's winning return to the side against Boro on Sunday when he rightly picked up all the plaudits for the best player on the pitch. With a big week ahead in Europe for the Blues, Moyesy and every Evertonian is hoping and praying that the Spanish magician comes up trumps again on Thursday.

Moyesy says: "Mikel is an important player for us, everyone knows that. You heard the cheer his name got when it was announced because everybody appreciates what he does for the team. We don't hide behind excuses but when you lose your better players it can have an effect on the side. You could see the players were happy to give Mikel the ball because he can make things happen. "

Stubbsey says: "There is no substitute for class, and he is a reallly important part of the team. When he's not playing it shows, but it is the same in every team when your big game players aren't playing." (02/10/07)

Its Mad Innit

Its a mad world innit, when your best player of the last two seasons is left behind to train on his own while his club team mates are all away on International duty. Mikky Arteta is constantly overlooked by his country Spain, but the Spanish magician is not giving up hope of turning out for his country come next Summer in the Euro Championships.

More pressing issues lie ahead first though for Mikky, and he is relishing the challenge of pitting his wits against the Prem Champs at Goodison this weekend.

Mikky says: "Personally, I’m happy with my game. If I continue to improve and things go well at Everton then I have one main goal – to go to Euro 2008 with Spain.

If we want to climb the table we can’t afford to drop points at home – even if we are playing the Premier League champions. Morale is high in the squad and that’s one of our secrets. We are hopeful that this can be our year, but none of the players are getting too carried away and we’re just taking it game by game." (13/09/07)

It Can Get Better

Everton magician Mikky Arteta is reasonably happy with the Blues start to the season, though he still thinks we could be top of the shop now. It shows the progress of the team when he believes we deserve a higher points tally than what we have after dropping points with a home draw to Blackburn, and an away defeat to Reading. Mikky is pleased with the additions to the squad, and he is hopeful we can push on from last season.

Mikky says: "We’ve started the season really well and we’re happy with it. We deserve to be where we are and we could even have got more points from the games we’ve played. Hopefully, we’re going to be a better team than last season but we have to show that on the pitch. I think we’ve signed some really good players, and if they settle well and the rest of the players continue playing to their level, we can do some good things." (04/09/07)

Best Piece Of Business

The Everton chairman is happy to have Mikel on board for the next 5 years.

Blue Bill says: “I’d go anywhere to watch the Spaniard. Mikel has become such an extraordinary member of this football club and that is the reason why the first month of the close season was making sure he was a long term Evertonian. Negotiation is not easy these days but during all the time spent negotiating you knew that this boy wanted to stay.

Both Tim and Mikel did not want to go anywhere and I do believe that money was thrown at them by certain other clubs but we just talked through it. We just wanted them to know how important they both were and how much we valued them." (16/08/07)

His Everton

After his man of the match performance against Wigan, Moyesy was full of praise for 'our tater'.

Moyesy says: "Mikel realises now it's his Everton. He wants us all to progress. Obviously, he wants to play for a club showing a level of ambition, and we don't want to disappoint him. He did things today that people would actually pay to come and watch. That type of player doesn't always get it right and I'd be the first to tell him if I thought he was show-boating. But he now has this balance of the Spanish technical ability and a British mentality about work-rate. He must be very close to the Spain team, playing off the role he performs for Everton, coming in off the right or left." (13/08/07)

We Need Strikers

With Biffa gone and Vaughany injured until November, Mikel has said what all Evertonians want and that's a another striker.

Mikky says: "To be at the top level you need three or four quality strikers. At the moment, we've two, although we've got Faddy fighting back from injury as well. I'm sure they're going to do something about it. If they don't we know everyone is going to have to lift his game again and try to become better and don't put up any excuses." (09/08/07)

More Players

Besides wanting to win the Blue Kipper Star Man Trophy for an unprecedented third time on the bounce, Mikel would like a few more good players to sign for The Blues and help Everton on their European quest.

Mikky says: "There was a lot of speculation but I said from the start I wanted to stay here. Those players are all a good age but have experience as well. Hopefully we can get more good players here as well because it is going to be a very busy season this year. I think the club wants to move forward and bring in more players." (02/07/07)

New Contract

Mikel has signed a contract which will keep him at Goodison until 2012. Moyesy is chuffed. Aren't we all.

Moyesy says: "We are delighted with how he has done. He has played really, really well. We like his skills and ability but he has grown into the team ethic that we have here and I think that has been the reason he has done so well." (29/06/07)

There's Nobody Better

Mikel has praised the Everton fans, who he thinks help him to keep on running.

Mikel says: "It was incredible (against Newcastle). The atmosphere was nearly the same as the Portsmouth game. It was something unbelievable and the kind of thing we have to have more often. Because of the atmosphere, you lift your level and your desire a little bit. That is what happened the other day against Portsmouth in the second half. When it is like that you can't stop running! You are motivated, you are excited. The people are asking you for more and more and you feel like they are behind you pushing you on." (09/06/07)

Love You All, And I'm Staying

Another season and another award for Mikky after he scooped Everton's Player of the Year last night in the star studded bash at St. Georges Hall. The best may be yet to come though for Mikky, as he is in the running for the most prestigious of the lot which is the Bluekipper Starman Award, but only the lucky 650 that will be in The Olympia tomorrow night will find out whether Mikky, Roger or AJ have picked up the magnificent balsa wood trophy.

Great news for Evertonians though is that Mikky has once again reiterated that he is going nowhere, and he loves Everton, and more importantly he loves us the fans, Jesus the missus will be delighted as she takes that personally you know !!

Mikky says: "I've said many times I'd like to stay. Now it's up to the club to decide what they want to do. It is really nice to win the award again, and I feel tremendously close to the people of this city and the club. I feel comfortable here and enjoy my football." (09/05/07)

Mikel Arteta Last Season        Everton 1st Team Squad 2007/08