Arteta shows his true colours with response to Everton points deduction question
Arteta shows his true colours with response to Everton points deduction question
Mikel Arteta played more than 200 games as a midfielder for Everton before joining Arsenal in August 2011 and later becoming manager of the 13-time champions of England
Mikel Arteta has described Everton’s record-breaking points deduction as a “difficult moment” – with his former club in serious danger of relegation.
The Toffees received a 10-point deduction during the international break for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The punishment, which Everton will appeal, leaves them 19th in the table and two points from safety.
Arteta is fond of the Merseyside club after playing more than 200 games for them between January 2005 and August 2011. He hopes they will have the “courage” and “determination” to fight their way to Premier League safety after their “surprise” punishment.
Everton were a founding member of the Premier League in 1992 and have remained in the division ever since. They have flirted with relegation during that time, most notably in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2022 and 2023, but have always found a way out of trouble.
Arsenal manager Arteta spoke on Friday ahead of his team’s Premier League trip to Brentford the following afternoon. It was the first opportunity reporters had to ask him about Everton’s points deduction, which is the biggest imposed in Premier League history.
“I feel very connected to the club,” said Arteta when asked about his former club’s punishment. “It’s a very difficult moment and obviously puts the club in a difficult position, but they have been in many other positions and always find a way to get out.
“If there is a quality that describes that club it is the courage, determination and the fight. They will fight against anything and I wish them the best.”
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Everton were charged by the Premier League in March for allegedly breaching their FFP rules, but a decision on their case wasn’t expected during the international break. Arteta added: “The news took me by surprise – and it is a big one in the middle of the season. I don’t know the regulations or the whole story inside it so it is difficult for me to comment.”
Everton fans are preparing to protest against the Premier League’s punishment during their game with Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday. Fans’ group The 1878 have raised more than £40,000 for new banners to be displayed at Goodison Park.
“And we’ll fight fight fight, with all our might for the boys in the royal blue jersey,” reads one of the banners. The 1878 said: “The fact is the main people suffering from this punishment are the fans who support one of the founding fathers of football in this country.
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“The people who broke the rules are not hurting from this punishment. Everton are being unfairly made an example of and we will not stand for it. Evertonian’s plan to fight for, and with, our club. Protests will continue until a proportionate sanction is agreed upon.”
European champions Manchester City were charged by the Premier League for 115 alleged breaches of their FFP rules in February, the month before Everton were charged for a single alleged breach. It’s unclear if and when City will be punished.
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