Source: Liverpool_Echo
Team spirit at Everton FC epitomised by Mikel Arteta’s comeback
Team spirit epitomised by Arteta's comeback[LNB]ONE by one each member of Everton's first team squad began to clap. Soon the applause drowned out any background noise in the Goodison Park dressing room, and in the centre of the assorted players sat Mikel Arteta grinning like a Cheshire cat.[LNB]David Moyes had just announced the Spaniard's name among the substitutes for the FA Cup tie against Birmingham.[LNB]It signalled the end of 11-months of injury hell for the 27-year-old and underlined the affection and esteem he is held in by his team-mates.[LNB]Not only that the gesture underlined the spirit of togetherness between this Everton squad.[LNB]It is a spirit David Moyes cannot emphasise enough and could still defy the odds and see the Blues finish in the top six this season.[LNB]'I've said for a long time that what we've got here is something special,' said Moyes.[LNB]'There are a lot of clubs who'd love to have what we have. A real togetherness and helping one another.[LNB]'Maybe we don't pay the biggest wages, don't sign the most favourable players or spend the biggest money - but we get the maximum from the players and they give that to us. Because of that we bond really well.[LNB]Mikel felt particularly bad because he's been out for nearly a year.[LNB]'He was going so well and then it all went badly wrong just when he though he was on his way back.[LNB]'Now he just wants to be out playing again, to get his boots on and be part of it. The players applauded him when he was named on the bench for the first time because they realised how important he is to the squad.[LNB]'He has worked really hard to get himself back and we hope he's there to stay.'
