Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Arteta knee fears confirmed

23 Feb 2009 - 10:42:22

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Everton have confirmed that Mikel Arteta ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday's goalless draw at Newcastle United and will play no more football this season.

The influential Spanish midfielder suffered the injury after only three minutes of the stalemate and had to be stretchered off the pitch.

Arteta had a series of scans on his knee on Sunday evening which confirmed the extent of the damage.

Toffees boss David Moyes had feared the worst after the game, saying: "The early look at him wasn't good, but I'd rather wait to see.

"We haven't got all the news yet, but it isn't looking particularly good news at the moment.

"He's gone back to Liverpool for a scan but we will wait until we get the final outcome before we can assess it."

Meanwhile, Victor Anichebe thought he had broken his leg in the same game when Kevin Nolan clattered into him.

The young striker had to be substituted just before the interval while Nolan received a straight red card from referee Lee Mason for the horror tackle.

Anichebe said: "I've never felt as much pain in my life. I thought I'd broken my leg. I couldn't even look down, to be fair. It was a terrible tackle but I don't think he really meant it. He came and said sorry, but what can you do?

"I felt so much pain. Now it's not too bad. It's not as bad as I first thought anyway, but I'm feeling a bit of pain in my knee and the back of my calf and down my shin so we'll see how it is.

"I suppose I'm lucky to come out not as bad anyway, so I'll get a scan on Monday and see how it is. Hopefully everything is alright."