Arteta staying Blue

Koen Freriks

20 april 2006, 13:15

Spaniard Mikel Arteta has assured Everton fans that he will be staying at Goodison Park in the summer. The midfielder's first full season for the club has been an impressive one alongside Tim Cahill in the heart of Everton's side and inevitably the 24-year-old has been link with a move to a bigger club at the end of the season.

Arteta was spotted at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play Sunderland on Friday night. This has fueled rumours that the player is looking to move to the second place outfit and the Reds will be looking to strenghten there midfield after long term injuries to Alan Smith and Paul Scholes. Arteta has previously denied links between himslef and Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the past and appears to be happy at Everton.

Arteta told the clubs official website, "I am really happy here and I have a lot of care for this club and the people here. I really appreciate how the club how the club and the people have been with me from the first day so it is not in my mind to leave." When asked about his appearance at Old Trafford he claimed, "I was only there to watch the match. I just like to watch football, there was nothing sinister in it."