Source: Liverpool_Echo
Phil Jagielka hails Everton FC's two-goal hero Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta 300[LNB]PHIL Jagielka today hailed the 'breathtaking' return to form of fellow long-term absentee Mikel Arteta in the Blues' 5-1 thrashing of Hull.[LNB]Both players have battled back from knee ligament nightmares to make successful returns to the Everton first team, and both shone as Phil Brown's relegation strugglers were trounced at Goodison.[LNB]Jagielka, who cruised through his first full game in 11 months on Sunday, believes Arteta has been playing it safe while rebuilding his confidence, but is now close to his magical best.[LNB]He said: 'I think so far we've had the safe Mikel. He's not had to go into that many tackles, or play too many world-class passes and he's done everything neat and tidy.[LNB]'But if you've watched him in training the last few days, he seems to have everything back; his balance, his eye to foot coordination, and it's frightening.[LNB]'If you look at the way he runs with the ball, and his vision, and the way he teams up with Bainsey particularly on the left. As you could see against Hull, some teams will have no answer to it.'[LNB]Jagielka was impressed with the midfield master-class the Blues put on in scoring five.[LNB]He said: 'It was an amazing performance. Thankfully I give the ball to the midfielders and watch because some of the stuff was breath-taking. The interplay between Steven Pienaar, Mikel, Bainsey, Johnny and Jack when he came on was just unbelievable.[LNB]'I had an idea I'd get some game time, so there was a little bit of nerves driving in and then when the gaffer named the team it was nice to hear my name in the first 11 and a fantastic game to come back in.
