Arteta Thrilled for Final Visit to Goodison Park, Describes It as 'Very Special'

Synopsis

Mikel Arteta reflects on his emotional return to Goodison Park, where he made lasting memories as an Everton player. As he prepares for his last visit to the historic ground, Arteta emphasizes the importance of focusing on the upcoming match against Everton, rather than the looming clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Key Takeaways

Mikel Arteta has fond memories from his time at Everton.
This Saturday marks his final appearance at Goodison Park.
Arteta praises David Moyes' impact on the club.
Everton is becoming a tougher opponent under Moyes.
Arteta stresses the importance of focusing on the present game.

London, April 4 (NationPress) Goodison Park is a venue filled with cherished memories for Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta, who played for Everton from 2005 to 2011. During his tenure, David Moyes' Toffees achieved a remarkable fourth place in the Premier League, reached the last 16 in the UEFA Cup, and progressed to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

This Saturday marks the former Toffees captain's final visit to the 132-year-old stadium before Everton relocates to Bramley-Moore Dock next season.

“It will be incredibly special. There’s rich history between the clubs, and I have my own beautiful personal narrative, especially with the manager who has recently returned and is performing exceptionally well,” Arteta expressed during his pre-match press conference.

“I’m genuinely thrilled for the club and for David because returning for a second stint is never easy. In my view, he was the one who elevated that club to new heights, and now he’s on a similar path as they transition to a new stadium. It’s a lovely story,” Arteta remarked.

Everton faced a setback, losing 1-0 to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday, but has generally become more resilient since Moyes’ return. Arteta believes the Gunners will assert themselves on the game to counter Everton's strategy.

“Absolutely, that’s the key point because they aim to play a very different style than ours. It’s always a challenge in the Premier League to dictate the game and make it unfold in your favor as frequently as possible. Ultimately, it will be determined in the boxes, where strength is crucial,” he noted.

When questioned about whether the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid would affect the weekend’s match, Arteta emphasized the need for focus. “No, that’s incorrect. The most significant game for us is Everton, and the optimal way to prepare for Real Madrid is by focusing on defeating Everton.

“This is football; it’s an emotional sport, and you must consistently perform without looking ahead. The level of competition is too significant to allow such thoughts to creep in,” he added.