Source: Liverpool_Echo
Mikel Arteta injury setback puts Everton FC midfielder out until Christmas
Mikel Arteta Image 1[LNB]EVERTON have been handed a devastating blow with the news that Mikel Arteta has suffered a setback which could keep him out until Christmas. [LNB]The Blues' midfield talisman underwent an operation in Spain on Tuesday to correct a cartilage problem in lift knee, which he damaged so severely at Newcastle in February. [LNB]Arteta had been working overtime in his bid to recover from rupturing his cruciate ligament and was on the verge of a return but now all plans have been put on hold. [LNB]Not surprisingly, Arteta - who has remained in Spain since undergoing the procedure - has been left heartbroken by this desperate turn of events. [LNB]David Moyes is equally distraught at the prospect of being without the little Spaniard for a minimum of six weeks and is praying that Arteta will come back better than ever. [LNB]'Mikel has had another operation which will keep him out for at least another six weeks,' said Moyes. 'He just slipped in training and they have tidied up his cartilage. [LNB]'He obviously had his cruciate done already and he would probably have been due to join back in training with the lads this week. [LNB]'It's the same knee, when you do your cruciate you normally do your meniscus a little bit, too. The doctors stitch it back up and in the past they used to take the stitches out. [LNB]'But they don't do that now. What has happened is one of the stitches that is holding the meniscus of the cartilage together has pulled apart. [LNB]'He's been in to get that repaired. It goes without saying that it is a terrible blow. He will be upset but I've not spoken to him since he had the operation on Tuesday.'
