Everton manager David Moyes has no regrets following the sale of Mikel Arteta to Arsenal and denied reports claiming he was forced to sell.
The Spanish midfielder joined the Gunners in a £10 million deal just hours before the close of the transfer window, with Moyes bringing in Dutch ace Royston Drenthe and Argentinian striker Denis Stracqualursi, both on season-long loan deals.
However, Arteta’s departure and the absence of any big-name signings have left the club’s supporters angry at the lack of investment in the squad, with the fans group ‘Blue Union’ planning a march before Saturday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa at Goodison Park.
“I make the decisions here, it wasn’t the chairman telling me I have to sell,” Moyes said.
“Mikel wanted to play in the Champions League and I owed it to him to give him the opportunity.
“In the 10 years I’ve been here, we’ve finished in the top 10 seven out of 10 times.
“If people think that Everton should be doing much better than that, they need to be looking at things.”
Meanwhile, chairman Bill Kenwright has called on the club’s supporters to back him and their manager as he desperately continues his search for a buyer.
“We live in a world that doesn’t trust anymore. The fans want someone, anyone, as long as he’s got more money. If people think I don’t want to let go, that means I’m being dishonest and it simply isn’t true. I’ve been desperate to find a buyer for four years and I would never do anything to hurt this club,” he said.
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