Moyes rues Arteta absence

Everton boss disappointed to lose midfielder

Last updated: 2nd May 2008

Mikel Arteta ITV

Arteta: Out for last two games

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David Moyes has confirmed that Mikel Arteta will not play in Everton's remaining games of the season.

The midfielder recently returned to Spain to receive treatment on a persistent stomach and groin problem, and then came on as a substitute in last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

However, the injury has not gone away and Moyes does not want Arteta to suffer any more damage in the matches against Arsenal and Newcastle.

The Everton boss said: "He has had an injury which he has not been comfortable with since probably before Christmas.

"We have given him opportunities to go back to Spain and see a specialist he wants to work with there but he is not comfortable with it either now so in fairness we have to say he is not available.

"He came on in the game on Sunday and he came back to training and hasn't felt good for a couple of days so really we are ruling him out until the end of the season and until the start of the next.

"Mikel feels it after games more so. He feels sore with it and doesn't feel comfortable.

"He's played some games, he's missed some training and I think it has affected his form.

"But it does not require surgery. He has had some rest and has been getting some treatment.

"We will do everything we can - he has done everything he can to get himself fit and it has just not happened."

Impacted

Everton were challenging for fourth spot for much of the season but are now battling with Villa for fifth, and Moyes admits that injuries have affected his side's campaign.

"It has impacted on us more since January. It didn't affect our form initially but when you lose players over a lengthy period it does," he explained.

"If you are missing players for a week or two weeks you can get through it but when you lose your better players from the team it does have an impact."

Moyes added: "I want us to be strong and continue to progress and we need to do that.

"We need to have an even stronger squad. At the start of this season we strengthened the squad and I think it showed by the performances we put in but maybe since January it has been a bit of a drain on us.

"You learn from it and hopefully we can do better next season.

"Quality will always be first but I think quantity as well is required."