Arsenal have not given hope in their pursuit of Everton’s Mikel Arteta.
The Toffees have declared that none of their players are for sale with their squad already threadbare and with little time to source a replacement. The team have been disappointing in their two matches so far this term – despite picking up a late win at Blackburn Rovers last weekend – and manager David Moyes is determined to keep hold of his best players to ensure that they do not get drawn into a relgation dogfight.
However, finances are tight at Goodison Park which is the overriding reason for their failure to sign a single player for over a year. Arsenal have rarely been known as the most spendthrift of clubs but with morale at the Emirates Stadium as low as it has been for two decades, the need to bring in proven talent outweighs their balance sheet.
Arteta has long been linked with the Gunners which is unsurprising as his style of play seems to have the Londoners DNA stamped right through it. The Spaniard has flirted with the propsect of leaving the Merseyside club before with a departure last summer seemingly on the cards before he signed a new improved contract.
However, at 29, the chance to work with Arsene Wenger and play in the Champions League may not come around again and Everton could be tempted into selling if Arsenal are prepared to match their £15m valuation in the next few hours.
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