Mikel Arteta says there’s someone ‘special’ at Everton who he truly loves

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that there is someone at his former club, Everton, whom he still holds in very high regard.

The Spaniard won’t have to wait long to return to Merseyside, as he prepares for his first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton are back in action on Monday evening, traveling to face Manchester United.

David Moyes faces a challenging festive schedule, with league leaders Arsenal visiting just before Christmas. Everton supporters were unhappy about the fixture change, which now sees the game kick off at 8pm on a Saturday night.

The upcoming match also gives Arteta a chance to reconnect with someone who played a significant role in his career on Merseyside. Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta paid tribute to Moyes, saying:

“David Moyes. He picked me up at a difficult time in my career. He’s someone I love, and I’ve learned and appreciated so much from what he did for me. He’s a very special person.”

Arteta has previously praised Moyes for his accomplishments during both of his stints as Everton manager.

Now, Moyes is keen to mirror some of the set-piece dominance that Arsenal have displayed under Arteta in recent months—a challenge Everton struggled with in their recent match against Tottenham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Although it will be a tough task for Everton to take points from a high-flying Arsenal side, the Blues have shown they can be difficult to beat at their new home. Former goalkeeper Ben Foster has expressed concerns over Everton’s league position ahead of their victory over Fulham.

The Toffees face further challenges over the coming month, with key players Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Even with a fully fit squad, Everton will still face a demanding run of fixtures before the New Year.

Everton have aspirations of qualifying for Europe this season, but a difficult festive period could see those hopes take a serious hit. Still, a win over Arteta’s Arsenal would be a perfect early Christmas gift for Everton fans.