Mikel Arteta Thread

[Cripps_orig]

MIKEL ARTETA has stunned Arsenal fans by admitting his best days are behind him.

The Spaniard was Arsene Wenger's standout purchase on deadline day as he secured a £10million move from Everton.

But the midfielder, who turns 30 next year, revealed time is fast running out for him.

He said: "There is always a start and an end and today is the end of probably the best time of my career.

"I am 29 years old so I haven't got much time left to take a chance like this one. I think I have done my best for Everton.

"It is very difficult to say goodbye. I still can't believe it but at the same time I think it is the right moment for everyone.

"It has been crazy. I can't believe what happened, and the way it happened but as I said, that is part of football and I am going to be playing for another club soon.

"Obviously I am never going to forget what I have done here and what the people and this club have done for me."

Arteta revealed the lure of Champions League football played its part in the move.

He said: "It is a big opportunity for me and my family and I think it is the right time for me to take it.

"It is a big challenge, a different challenge, fresh for me and I want to see myself on the biggest stage, the Champions League.

"I always try hard, I have been as professional as I could and I was grateful for the support and the love that the club and the fans showed me."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ehind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

[IBK]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ehind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

I don't read it that way at all - I see it more as him saying that he had a great time at Everton, not that his best days are behind him in terms of ability. Stupid headline.

[Cripps_orig]

I don't read it that way at all - I see it more as him saying that he had a great time at Everton, not that his best days are behind him in terms of ability. Stupid headline.

Oh i agree with you

[Cripps_orig]

Hes got the number 8

Whats Benayoun got?

[Kaiser]

30.

[Cripps_orig]

This was talked about a couple of years back but can Arteta still play for England?

He hasnt played for Spain and lived here for 5 years+

[toothless gibbon]

This was talked about a couple of years back but can Arteta still play for England?

He hasnt played for Spain and lived here for 5 years+

He is eligible for a British passport but not for England because he would have needed to have held a British passport at the time when he represented Spain at U16 level.

[Niall_Quinn]

30.

That's his triage ticket number. Doubt he'll need a shirt number.

[Joker]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ehind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

Typical Sun garbage. Nowhere in that article does he say his best days are behind him. Talk about gutter journalism.

[hymppi]

always wanted him to be a gunner.
(and that cunt cahill too, true grit player...)

so, welcome arteta. i will personally escort you to the glue factory if you can't stay fit.