Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Nine thoughts on Arteta's move.
By Peter Hall :: 03/09/2011
43 Comments (»Last)
1. Arteta was our most influential player of the decade and at his best one of the finest footballers I have seen at the club in 52 years, easily in my top five midfielders. Everton treated him with respect (eg, letting him recuperate from injury in Spain) and he returned that respect. He is loyal and intelligent and I admire him as a footballer and a person.
2. The 5-year contract at £75k per week was an unaffordable mistake by a cash-strapped club for a player who has never reached his pre-injury heights, and whose best was gradually receding into the past. Kenwright and Moyes were confusing their respect for him with his five-year value to the club. I believe that Arteta came to see it this way and was troubled to be on this contract while Everton could barely buy a match ball, and this made him feel that the transfer made sense all round.
3. The club in crisis on Wednesday was Arsenal, not Everton, making a panic move due to the failure of their youth strategy and the excessive pricing of ?marquee? players; Arteta was well down their wish-list. They have to qualify for the Champions League and they knew they wouldn?t with their existing squad. They?ve bought for the short-term in a desperate hope of CL qualification. Probably a forlorn hope, so enjoy it this year Mikky, and the best of luck, I?ll be shouting for you. You may be past your best but at least you?ll bring some determination to a feeble-minded squad.
4. Arteta took a pay cut, or at least no extra money, and the same length of contract left (4 years) ? why would he do that? Champions League opportunity, yes, but also, if you look carefully at what he has said, because he knew it was best for Everton as well. He?s intelligent and rounded enough to see all sides of the situation. All right, maybe he was worried about Everton?s ability to pay his contract over the next four years as well ? hence his remark about avoiding being a ?broken club? in a couple of years.
5. Arteta asking for a transfer increased the value of the offer to the club ? this absolves the club from some contractual payments and clubs will say to players ?all right, if you want a transfer, put it in writing?. The same happened between Liverpool and Meireles that night, probably without the same goodwill.
6. The last-minute timing was the worst thing for us and it might not look good on the pitch in the next few weeks (can it look worse than last Saturday?). Against this, Everton have gained flexibility with this change. Over the next couple of years this could prevent the cost-cutting seen since last January from strangling all our ambitions.
7. Fittingly, Mikel scored with the last kick of his Everton career (don?t tell me if you saw him touch it in the final minute, I didn?t!) but was there anyone watching who wanted him to take the penalty? Blackburn fans perhaps. Or the second edge-of-the-box free-kick against QPR? Everybody was praying for Baines to take them. Things have moved on, and Mikky found it hard to let go on the pitch.
8. Fellaini has never played to his peak with Arteta in the side. When Arteta was long-term injured Fellaini?s performances were terrific ? ?best midfielder in the league? ? remember that from Moyes? Then Arteta returned as substitute to a great ovation, and Fellaini subsided into the bit-part player he can be. Why? Because Arteta demanded the ball, and got what he wanted. And ? as with the free-kicks and penalties ? Arteta got his own way. Arteta is a very strong character, which Fellaini isn?t ? yet. Things should have moved on but again Mikky found it hard to let go on the pitch.
9. Now we will have to play to our strengths, and we will get some breathing space to allow Moyes to shape things a bit. For me, Moyes (though generally excellent) is too sentimental to go the last mile as a manager. But sometimes fate makes things happen that you are too weak to do yourself, and last Wednesday?s events are a good example.
Reader Comments (43)
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3 Posted 03/09/2011 at 17:51:32
4 Posted 03/09/2011 at 18:03:07
Unsustainable over the whole Everton contract, it nevertheless meant Everton were able to recoup a £10M transfer for the player rather than lose the player for nothing by running down the previous contract. The contract made the difference between making a profit or a loss on the player as it locked in the value of his services.
5 Posted 03/09/2011 at 18:10:12
6 Posted 03/09/2011 at 18:16:11
Best of luck Mikel; thanks for the memories and for how you've conducted yourself post-transfer.
7 Posted 03/09/2011 at 19:47:37
8 Posted 03/09/2011 at 20:12:52
Just hope that Felli or Rodwell can use the ability they have to really grab a match by the scruff and become real game changers
9 Posted 03/09/2011 at 20:33:40
There should be a standing ovation for this little Spaniard when he returns.
His comments after leaving us should be contrasted with a certain other 'blue' (Rooney) - class and dignity personified.
Take a bow Mikel, I for one will miss you.
10 Posted 03/09/2011 at 20:43:18
I have seen another post on the site that was the effect that once a player has left they are nothing.For what its worth my view is that the deal suited everyone, and I for one will be proud to stand and applaud Mikel each and every time i see him until the day he bad mouths EFC and I can not see that coming.
With this sale and that of JB, Yak, and likely as not JY in the next couple of days, I wonder how much is being earned and saved in wages? Add the lot up and I recon it rubs out the Bank.
11 Posted 03/09/2011 at 20:31:46
This way we get good fees for players who we invest in, we did not do the same for Yak etc cos their was no sell on value later in the contract, think it has worked perfectly in the Arteta scenario, locally we know he is finished, Arsenal do not know this, their scouts are ignorant to this fact, hey presto, 10 mill for a hasbeen.
Harsh yes, but this is football, Arteta obviously thinks we, as a club, are hasbeens,... He does not realise/think he is a hasbeen, we know different.
Much as I have enjoyed his contribution over the last 6.5 years the final 18 months where awkward to say the least,
much as I wanted him to send over the perfect corner,
to beat a man with a bit of guille and cunning,
to execute a stunning free kick..
it just was not happening.
The goal against the shite was a highlight, as was the equaliser against Manure, but it was never quite as good as it used to be.
But here is a modern day Everton LEGEND, and apart from arguably D.F, there are not too many.
12 Posted 03/09/2011 at 21:17:17
13 Posted 03/09/2011 at 21:16:46
But having said that Mikel on his day is class and I wish him all the best and hopfully he will get a warm welcome on his return.
14 Posted 03/09/2011 at 21:58:31
Maybe Fellaini, will now step up and stamp his dominance on our midfield..
15 Posted 03/09/2011 at 22:26:32
By far the bigger miss has been Pienaar, whose link with Baines was our best attacking threat. We should go back to Harry and rescue him from the splinters he's getting on the bench at the Lane. Besides, it looks as if they are nearly as skint as we are.
16 Posted 03/09/2011 at 23:06:31
Vince, you are so right...
Mr MF step forward, with JR the power skill and pace will drive us forward. Like it or not, the game is won in midfield and pace and power is what it is about. We have both, they are young and we need to build a team round them.
Believe, they can do it; support them, the future is there.
Sort the contracts and NOW!!!
17 Posted 03/09/2011 at 23:33:46
He did this for one person, and one person only. He's manufactured this move, and anyone at the Blackburn game could tell something was on the cards from his body language, as it was the talk of all blues around us.
He's been edging towards the exit door for the past few years, and but for the injury he'd have been well gone by now, and let's remember that he only stayed because we paid him a king's ransom that we couldn't afford. So let's save our support for those who truly deserve it... those still wearing our club shirt with pride.
18 Posted 04/09/2011 at 01:12:40
I'd like to here Eric's (18)reasoning for him leaving: If he only stayed 'because we paid him a kings ransom that we couldn't afford' then why exactly has he just left?! Certainly not for money.
Weren't there quite a few players in the late 80s who left when (through no fault of our own) we were not able to compete in Europe?! Howard Kendall for a start.
Let's not on one hand criticise the club for lacking ambition/progress, and then criticise the most long term, loyal players in the squad, when he starts listening to these thoughts, and feels he wants to compete at the highest level.
See original post for any more thoughts on this issue... Good luck, Mickey.
I just hope your corners remain the same standard when you return.
19 Posted 04/09/2011 at 03:32:27
For fuck's sake, we rejected a £5 mill bid on Monday but continued negotiations until we got a £10 mill bid on Tuesday, at which stage we informed Mikky we had received a bid that was acceptable so he was free to talk to Arsenal, ie, we no longer want you!!! Good luck, Mikky, one of the very best!
20 Posted 04/09/2011 at 04:09:36
Whilst I personally would have sold Arteta 12 months ago as I think he is finished as a top rate player and I agree with others above, he hampers other players. There was a rumour on here around March time that the club had to give the banks £10M this summer... well, there you go, the timing is typical of the club if you put 2 and 2 together, 3 out of the last 6 summer windows and 1 of the last 3 winter windows, Everton have sold a larger fee player right on the last day... co-incidence? Me thinks not.
Forget all the bluff of "we will buy in January" as that, along with all the other lies, is complete flannel.
21 Posted 04/09/2011 at 04:37:37
We have to go for one of the cups this season and have a bit of luck along the way. The sort of good fortune that the bounce of the ball allows Beckford a goal against Chelsea.
22 Posted 04/09/2011 at 07:01:23
In this case, Arteta, although being a really gifted player, seemed to struggle to slot in after the injury. So I think the timing was right for him to leave. He has left the club in a dignified way, which means he is already part of the folklore and history of our famous club.
I hope he does well for Arsenal, but I have my doubts. I predict more injuries and the inevitable loss of form that goes with that and advancing years.
23 Posted 04/09/2011 at 07:19:53
He's taken a massive paycut and the £10M has gone to the bank. End of.
You don't think Moyes will see any of it January do you, really????
24 Posted 04/09/2011 at 10:08:37
I think there are a lot of people who'd disagree with that.
25 Posted 04/09/2011 at 10:34:32
One thing I think is clear is that we have the players in Fellaini, Rodwell, Barkley, Osman, Bilyaletdinov and possibly Cahill to not necessarily miss Arteta in the centre of midfield, but while we continue to play Heitinga in there we will be completely hamstrung in terms of ball retention and creativity. A centre back who can play from the back isn't necessarily a good midfielder, and Heitinga's presence in our midfield is a case in point at the moment.
Pick the players we have got in the correct positions and we may have a chance.
26 Posted 04/09/2011 at 10:14:14
27 Posted 04/09/2011 at 11:26:17
28 Posted 04/09/2011 at 12:03:45
Let's be realistic ? £10million for Mikel is good business but also good for the team and us fans. At last,, Bainesy doesn't have to stand aside for our set pieces, Bainesy having a much better record than Arteta.
Another point being that we seem to have been trying to fit Artetea in lately when clearly he has either not been fit enough or simply has lost some of the magic he had before his injury.
I like Mikel Arteta and wish him luck but this move could be a blessing for Everton... time will tell.
29 Posted 04/09/2011 at 12:47:48
Maybe the best put thing I have ever read on this site is:
"Moyes (though generally excellent) is too sentimental to go the last mile as a manager."
I rate Moyes a lot, but I think there a a few small failings he needs to iron out before he can say he has taken Everton as far as he can ? one of those things is sentimentality. One of Moyes's strengths though is that I think he realises this too.
It's really time for players like Felli, Rodwell and Bily to step up and show the kind of commitment Barkley has in the first couple of games.
The squad needs some hunger and belief that they can mix it up with the best of them and can fight for trophies, even if they are just cup trophies this year.
Arteta leaving should be the real 'next chapter' kind of stuff the management and coaching staff use to encourage the squad and see who the real Everton players are.
When we finished 4th it was largely because of a togetherness, hard work and occasional brilliance the squad we have should demonstrate that they have that in them.
30 Posted 04/09/2011 at 14:00:03
But, hey, everybody gets sold in the end ? and not so long ago 29 was considered the tail end of a football career. That's footy and now we just have to get on with it.
31 Posted 04/09/2011 at 17:42:58
32 Posted 04/09/2011 at 18:11:27
I just worry that we may have to sell again in January. I hope not and hope that this piece of business will satisfy the Bank. Time for Rodwell/ Fellaini/ Osman and Barkley to step up and take us forward.
Thanks Mikel for the many fantastic moments and the couple of irritating ones.
33 Posted 04/09/2011 at 18:46:08
It may turn out to be a good bit of business or not; either way, it shows we are a selling club, regardless of what Moyes thinks, and every club in the world knows it. The speculation about Barkley has started already.
34 Posted 04/09/2011 at 19:17:53
Along with Barkley, Rodwell and Drenthe we have talent in the midfield area and if we can find the right mix we will be OK. And a mention must also go to the likes of Osman and Bily who must see this as an opportunity to make an impact.
35 Posted 04/09/2011 at 20:58:51
36 Posted 05/09/2011 at 05:31:33
37 Posted 05/09/2011 at 07:17:04
August: Puts in transfer request, joins Arsenal.
38 Posted 05/09/2011 at 09:59:36
He was average at best these past 2 years. When the rumours first came through he was going I didn't feel much sense of anything. When the deal was temporarily off at 7:30pm, I have to admit I felt a little disappointed.
He's past his best and I think we got a reasonable deal under the circumstances for the club. (Thought we would have got £12m though.)
Don't get me wrong ? under better financial management we should be keeping our best players ? but we've cut our cloth accordingly and it's a chance for others to step up and progress (Barkley, Rodwell et al).
39 Posted 05/09/2011 at 10:11:12
40 Posted 05/09/2011 at 13:37:03
Nice point about him scoring with his last kick for Everton, that wraps the whole thing up quite nicely - thank you.
41 Posted 06/09/2011 at 05:08:08
Let's hope that we can recreate or rebuild that spirit, as Cahill, Hibbert and Neville fade.
42 Posted 06/09/2011 at 10:37:30
43 Posted 07/09/2011 at 14:37:37
1. Within a few months of his move he was playing in the Cup Final for Arsenal. The following year he was part of an Arsenal team that challenged Liverpool for the title. He also went on to captain England whilst who did we get to replace him ? Nearly 40 years later I am still wondering who Catterick had in mind as Ball's replacement !!!
2. Arteta may not have recovered his "pre- injury" form - but let's face it he was out of the game for quite a long period of time. Perhaps the expectation we had were too great and we should have shown more patience.
In my opinion he will be a loss, who knows given time he might go on to regain the form we know that he is capable off - sadly it will not be in an Everton shirt.
Wenger has gone down in my estimation - he allowed the Fabregas saga to run and run. It was also clear that he needed to strenghtne his defence - but again he allowed that to run throughout the summer without any signings. However, I still think that he is a good judge of players and I think at Arsenal Arteta will do well.
The basic question is - are we better with Mikel Arteta or better without him.? Do you honestly think most Evertonians were celebrating him leaving ? If so I would like to have a pint of what you're drinking !!! I was seriously p****d off when the Transfer Window closed and I am sure I wasn't the only Evertonian who felt like that.
44 Posted 08/09/2011 at 14:52:54
After the shock of hearing Micky was definitely on his way I slowly started to realize that it might not be as bad as it first seems. Of course the next day all the gob shites at work had a laugh at our expense. "Everton are broke, - you'll be calling in the receivers soon"......, to which a short, sharp "fuck off" put some of them in their place.
You see, things may look grim, things may look desperate but is the current situation losing Arteta any worse than when we lost Shrek all those years ago, or Lescott to the trash with cash? Not really. A loved watchin Arteta spray the ball all round the park and deliver it on a penny to others in the Royal Blue jersey. I loved watchin him split defences wide open with a killer pass, but most of this happened before his serious injury at St James Park a couple of seasons back. Since his return from that horrific injury he's been a good servant, a good player, but not a brilliant player like he was before that.
I doubt weather David Moyes will get any of the £10m to spend in January like it has been suggested. Kenwright will come up with something more important to spend the money on than players I have no doubt. But that's an argument for another day. On the field will we suffer any more due to the loss of Mikel, ... I don't think we will. As others have already stated, Fallaini will (hopefully) come into his own and Rodwell may at last take the bull by the horns and and do what we all know he can do if he gets a good run in the team injury free. No matter what you think of Moyes, he's not stupid. He'll deliver us another season of football which some will love and some will hate and a finish in the top half of the PL which these days, for a club in our financial position is nothing short of a miracle. And when we (again) finish above big spending Stoke, Sunderland and QPR, I and we will have the last laugh.
I wish Mikel Arteta well and hope he achieves his dream of playing in the CL. He deserves a crack at it IMO. After all, he's been a good servant to Everton and never once bad mouthed our club and manager. Good luck ? you are still the best little Spaniard in the PL and I look forward to your return to Goodison even though you won't be wearing the Royal Blue jersey.
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1 Posted 03/09/2011 at 17:00:58