Mikel Arteta was reunited with former Everton colleagues Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka today with England training alongside Arsenal at the North London clubs training headquarters, London Colney. It completed a busy few days for Arteta, who was also re-united with Tim Cahill over the weekend.
Arteta looked delighted to be back with his former teammates and Everton remain close to his heart, even if he doesn’t regret his move to the Gunners. In an interview before his first return to Goodison, Arteta reflected on his time at the Blues.
“I gave Everton everything I had in my time there and I love the club.
“Everyone there was great to me and, even though I left, hopefully people understood”.
For seven years, Arteta served Everton with distinction, scoring 34 goals in 219 appearances. He will be remembered for some brilliant goals, in particularly the equalising strike against Fiorentina, which flew into the net from 25 yards out.
Arteta was superb for Everton and it remains a real shame that the Blues were unable to match his ambition and offer him regular Champions League football. He would certainly fit well into the current Everton team and would relish the opportunity to be part of the new Everton set-up. We continue to wish Mikel all the best.
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