Everton Football Club News

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• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

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Moyes talks up Arteta's chances

03 Apr 2010 - 10:39:02

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Everton manager David Moyes believes that midfielder Mikel Arteta could yet force his way into Spain's squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.

The 28-year-old playmaker has impressed since returning from a long-term injury lay-off, although Moyes has had to rest him recently due to the stress of Premier League football which has left Arteta with a slight groin strain.

The Scotsman said: "I wouldn't want his chances to increase because of injury to Cesc Fabregas - I don't want anybody to be injured.

"But I think Mikel's form might just have come at the right time.

"My feeling is it will just be too late. I hope it is not, because if he could make the Spanish squad it would be something he'd be really keen on.

"The way he has been playing for us recently, he must be getting much closer.

"I know there are a lot of good players in Spain, but if you are playing as well as he was and scoring goals as well, I think that could give him a chance.

"Obviously, if he is missing for a game or two now, that will make it harder as well.

"It is not something we should be overly concerned about, but the way we put Mikel back in so quickly and what we demanded of him, in the end I thought something would probably go.

"The workload his body has had to take has been too much."