Mikel Arteta: Best Everton Squad For A Decade

Spaniard pays tribute to team-mates.

Nov 20, 2009 4:37:24 AM

More On :  Everton, Mikel Arteta
FA Cup: Mikel Arteta, Everton - Aston Villa (PA)

Mikel Arteta has hailed the current Everton squad, labeling it the best collection of Toffees in the past ten years.

The Spaniard, currently sidelined until the New Year with a knee injury, paid tribute to manager David Moyes' squad-building prowess.

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Moyes has maintained a strict recruitment policy, with talented younger players at the forefront of his scouting mission. Arteta himself, for instance, was bought for £2 million in 2005 yet is now regarded one of the finest players outside of the Premier League's perceived top four.

Since then the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and Phil Jagielka have joined the club's ranks, while Tim Cahll and Phil Neville have also blossomed.

"I think if everyone is fit it is the best team Everton has had over the last seven, eight - ten years, probably," Arteta enthused on the club's official website.

"We need to perform and do well as a group but we have a really good squad when we have our best eleven out on the pitch."

Arteta also recently stated that it was his intention to help guide the Toffees to silverware upon his return the injury which has kept him out since February.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

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