Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Fri 13 March 2026 18:10, UK

Mikel Arteta waxed lyrical about David Moyes and Everton ahead of their trip to Arsenal on Saturday.

Moyes takes his side to the Emirates Stadium on 14 March hoping to continue their charge towards a European place.

However, the former Everton midfielder is trying to win the first Premier League title of his managerial career and will be desperate for all three points.

However, that was not necessarily reflected when he spoke about Everton in his pre-match press conference.

What did Arteta say about David Moyes?

Arteta was very complimentary of his former Everton manager as he did his media duties ahead of their reunion this weekend, using 204 words on him.

He was asked about his relationship with the Scotsman and he said: “No, I’ve spoken a few times, especially we spend more time after we play each other in December.

“Not only him as well but a big part of his staff and the people that are involved by the club always have huge memories and a massive gratitude.

“He changed my career basically after my decision to go back to Spain, and then he brought me to Everton.

“He really changed my career and me as a player as well, and a lot of incredible things that we share together.”

He was later asked about Moyes’ legacy and where he stands among the best top-flight managers of all time.

The Spaniard said: “It’s just incredible.

“That’s why he’s one of the greatest English managers or manager the Premier League has ever had, because to maintain that level and that consistency in many different contexts and clubs is just so difficult to do and people have to appreciate it because it’s very rare, and I don’t know how many times it’s going to happen.

“You need to have, first of all, some very, very strong values, an incredible work ethic and so much passion for the game because he’s been through great moments, some difficult moments and the way he’s navigated through them, he’s always conducting himself in the same way and that’s a huge credit for him.”

Arteta’s Everton career revisited

Arteta was a fan favourite at Goodison Park, making 209 appearances for the Toffees, with 35 goals and 35 assists in that time.

The midfielder was a key asset as he joined Everton on loan, helping them to finish fourth in the 2004-05 campaign, and then signed for a fee of £2million.

He picked up the Everton Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards in the 2005-06 season, but could not prevent Moyes’ side finishing 11th in the league.

He was also brilliant in the 2006-07 campaign as they finished sixth, with a second consecutive Player of the Season Award.

In the 2007-08 season, he was handed the North West Footballer of the Year award, as he helped the Merseysiders to a fifth-place finish.

The Goodison side would finish fifth again in 2008-09, but he only made 31 appearances due to injuries, and it was a similar story the following season, as he played just 16 times, and the side finished eighth.

A lack of form in 2010-11 saw the Toffees fall out of contention for European football, and he would move to the Gunners in August 2011 for a fee understood to be in the £10 million range.

He is still very popular with Evertonians, given his quality and all that he gave for their club on the pitch, and the profit that he earned them.