- Arteta played for Everton from 2005-2011 before moving to Arsenal.
- Made 209 appearances for the Blues and recorded 70 goal involvements.
- Played with modern Everton greats such as Cahill, Baines, and Jagielka.
Mikel Arteta was part of arguably Everton’s greatest era in the Premier League.
He helped them achieve their only top-four finish in the 2004-05 season, and was part of the squad that remains the only one to have reached a cup final since they last won a trophy in 1995.
Arteta recently defeated Everton in a close encounter at the Emirates Stadium, but he still holds a fondness for his old club and has remained very close friends with an old teammate and Toffees icon.
Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill remain best friends
In an interview with Stan Sport Football, he explained he is still in touch with former Everton teammate Tim Cahill, and the pair are really good friends.
He said: “Tim is one of my greatest friends.
“I think he’s someone that believes in me and in what I want to achieve.
“Everybody needs support, and obviously when your loved ones are right next to you in difficult times, it is the most important part.”
Since winning the FA Cup in his first season as Arsenal manager, the Spaniards side have not won a trophy since and are eager to end their trophy drought.
Arteta is also seeking to become the first Gunners boss to win a league title since the legendary Arsene Wenger in 2004.
The North London side hold a nine-point advantage ahead of Manchester City in second, but Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand, and are yet to host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Everton’s current side mirrors their 2000s team
With David Moyes back at the helm for Everton, he has already replicated the team that he built in his first period in charge of the Toffees.
From 2002-2013, the Blues were built on a rigid defence and counted on players to fulfil multiple positions and roles on the pitch.
A classic example of this was Moyes’ use of a ‘false winger’, where he would instruct his wingers to move into central pockets and overload the midfield.
Since his arrival in January 2025, the Scotsman has shown his ability to tinker with the squad and has moved players into differing positions around the field, examples including Jake O’Brien and Harrison Armstrong.
Although this approach is rather unorthodox, it seems to be a formula that works for Moyes as he is on track to record Everton’s best league finish since 2021.
