Everton Football Club News

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Six months out for Arteta

23 Feb 2009 - 17:24:55

Click To Enlarge

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta could miss the start of next season after it was confirmed that the Spaniard faces up to six months on the sidelines after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament at the weekend.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury in the opening minutes of Sunday's goalless draw at Newcastle United and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Arteta will undergo surgery on his right knee in his homeland next week.

"We don't wallow in it, it's football, it happens. We need to get it operated on and get him back," Everton physio Mick Rathbone told the club's official website.

"We weren't actually waiting on the scan because we knew instantly what he'd done. I said to the doctor straight away, 'that's a cruciate'."

"We're looking at him being out for about six months. We don't want to hurry Mikel, we don't hurry any of the players back, but we're looking at the start of next season now.

"He's very down, but he's a mature guy, and knows that one of the hazards of being a top-class sportsman is that you get injured.

"He's somewhat philosophical and is already talking about getting back playing next season.

"We use three surgeons - the best in Britain, the best in Europe and the best in America. Clearly it suits Mikel to use the Spanish guy and he's very happy with the choice."