“I can see myself finishing my career at Everton.” Those words must have been like manna from heaven to Everton boss David Moyes as he contemplates at least another month and a half without influential midfielder Mikel Arteta.

 

The 27-year old Spaniard continues to be linked by apparently malicious rumours to a move away from Goodison Park but the frustration at an infection delaying his return from a serious knee injury has not spread to all things blue on Merseyside for Arteta. He said “I have never spent as much time at a club as I have spent at here, so that means something. I have found a place where I am confident I can achieve my ambitions and where I have improved as a player and learned a lot of things as a person.”

In respect of his injury problem, Arteta has been pragmatic. “There was no explanation for the infection, they have had three cases like that in 35 years. The only worry is to get my knee fixed properly. There is no point risking it. I have had three operations and need to take it carefully.”