Arteta has bounced back in the last few months following some indifferent performances that followed a summer recovery from a knee injury at a time when there was plenty of speculation about his future and a possible move back to Spain.

But he has blossomed in his new central midfield role, and boss David Moyes said: "Arteta was excellent against Hull, and has been lately. He has been playing well and scoring goals and his performances have been terrific.

"He almost didn’t make it against Hull. He arrived at the ground before that game still struggling with flu and feeling unwell and we decided to see how he was after the warm-up.

"But he wanted to play and he came through with another great performance."

The two derbies will mean a lot to Arteta, who is friends with several of Anfield’s Spanish players, in particular his Liverpool neighbour Xabi Alonso, the pair having played alongside each other for Real Sociedad.

Arteta said: "It will be strange playing Liverpool twice at Anfield in seven days, a very difficult task for us.

"But we will prepare for the games well and make it as tough for them as we can.

"I have talked to my friend Xabi (Alonso) about the games, but he knows as do all the Liverpool players that it will be tough for them."