Everton's Mikel Arteta has hailed the impact of David Moyes ahead of their derby day with Liverpool.
Spaniard understands emotional rivalry
Mikel Arteta has hailed the impact of David Moyes at Everton ahead of their mouth-watering derby clash with Liverpool.
It may be fans' favourite Kenny Dalglish who will be grabbing all of the attention prior to the feisty encounter which could kickstart the Reds' flagging Premier League campaign, however Everton's No.10 believes Moyes is the real unsung hero on Merseyside.
Arteta, who is eager to help the Toffees clinch a first home and away double since 1985 and silence the Anfield faithful, praised the Scotsman for how far he had taken the side with very little money at his disposal.
"David Moyes is already a legend in the city," he told the
Daily Mirror.
"If you compare where the club was when he took over and where it is now, it's like comparing night and day.
"He's not been able to spend the money that any other manager has had.
"He's had to try to find other ways to take the club into a better position and find players and get players who can respond to him.
"For everyone at the club, for everything he has done, he is a legend."
Rough ride
The 28-year-old is expecting a rough ride in Sunday's game and believes the Liverpool players will do everything they can to record their first win under Dalglish.
Arteta understands the intense rivalry between the two sides and said that Dalglish's return to Anfield is an added incentive for the Reds to claim the three points on home soil.
He said: "We know the emotion we will come up against because they will try everything they can to beat us."
The former Rangers playmaker went on: "Around the city, and especially for the Liverpool fans, it's been a lift having him back as manager again.
"It means a lot for them and I'm expecting the crowd to get behind them right from the start."
