David Moyes backs Mikel to make Spanish steps

Aug 13 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

DAVID MOYES believes Mikel Arteta is on the verge of breaking into the Spanish national squad following his outstanding start to the campaign on Saturday.

Arteta was the stellar performer as Everton secured a second successive opening-day victory by beating Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Goodison Park.

The 25-year-old had already enjoyed an impressive pre-season after committing his future to the club by signing a five-year deal during the summer.

And Moyes believes Arteta’s form is making it increasingly difficult to ignore his claims for an international call-up, with Spain taking on Greece in a friendly later this month.

“Mikel has signed here for another five years and it shows he wants us to progress and play at a higher level,” said the Goodison manager.

“He should be getting very close to the Spanish national team now. I think he would be good for Spain in the role he plays here at Everton, either on the right or left flank.

“He is playing now for a club that has shown a level of ambition and we don’t want to disappoint him.

“He has three years left on his contract, so it was not like he was going somewhere. But he has shown his commitment to Everton.”

Of Arteta’s display on Saturday, Moyes added: “I thought there were bits which people, as the cliche goes, would pay to come and watch. I just thought we needed to finish off some of his moves, but his play was excellent.

“The only thing that we have to do is to try and spread the play around the pitch and not just rely on him.”

Nevertheless, Moyes believes Arteta is integral to Everton’s hopes for success this season at home and in Europe.

“He is becoming a bigger and bigger influence for us,” said the manager. “I think that he realises that this is his Everton and he has a big part to play in where we will finish.

“For me, the balance between his skill and his work-rate is right. He has got that Spanish attitude and an English work ethic, and he showed that on Saturday.

“We will be the first people to tell him if we think he is showboating, but I thought that his decision making against Wigan was good.”

Goals in either half from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe ensured Antonie Sibierski’s late strike was nothing more than a consolation for Wigan.

And it meant Moyes enjoyed victory in his 200th league game in charge since arriving at Everton in March 2002.

“I didn’t realise it was my 200th league game until somebody told me just before kick-off,” he said.

“It is good to think I have been in charge for 200 Premier League games. A lot of Premier League managers don’t get that opportunity so I’m grateful.

“And to be manager here for five-and-a-half years is an achievement, I believe.

“I thought we played well against Wigan and apart from the last five or 10 minutes we always looked like winning. We did miss a few chances and it could have cost us.

“Leon Osman’s header was terrific. He was very clever in getting it in the only place he could score.

“When it was 2-0 I thought it would have been a case of us getting a third rather than Wigan pulling one back, but you have to give them credit.”

EVERTON Ladies continued their first Women’s UEFA Cup campaign with an 11-0 drubbing of Northern Irish side Glentoran on Saturday.

Mo Marley’s team had already made a winning start in the group as they overcame Gintra Universitetas 4-0 on Thursday.

Emily Westwood opened the scoring against Glentoran, with Fara Williams and Amy Kane making it 3-0 before half-time.

The second half saw Kane complete her hat-trick, and Jody Handley, Kelly McDougal and Michelle Evans grabbing goals, as well as defender Lindsay Johnson getting her first for the club.

Youngster Toni Dugan’s fine pre-season form continued, as she scored a brace to complete the a fine victory, in only her second appearance for the first team.

Everton top Group A1 and have a goal difference of 15 going into tomorrow’s final fixture with FCC Zuchwil (kick-off 2.30pm), before returning to Merseyside on Wednesday.