Arteta is yet again a doubt

[GrandOldTeam]

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/arteta-doubt.html

Mikel Arteta has been rated as 'doubtful' for Saturday's away trip to Birmingham by manager David Moyes.
The midfielder has not trained this week because of muscular pains in his stomach and abdomen. He joins midfielder Steven Pienaar and defender Tony Hibbert in the treatment room, battling to be given the all-clear for the St Andrews encounter.
Despite the injury concerns, however, the manager is confident of the belief and commitment in his squad.
"We didn't play against Derby but we got the win, which was vital," he said. "Obviously we want to play as well as we can in every game but at this stage of the season, the only thing that matters is winning.
"Just look back at the game against Fiorentina. We played terrifically that night but didn't get through, so all we are really interested in now is getting three points.
"We have not done awfully well against the teams down in the bottom half of the table recently and we want that to change against Birmingham but they will make it as difficult as they can for us.
"But the players have shown great leadership throughout the season and I'm sure they will continue to do that in the last five games. I have got no worries on that score.
"They have been terrific for us all season, so I see no reason why that will change now."
Moyes also insists he has not considered the impact Liverpool's progression to the final four of the Champions League will have on their domestic challenge.
"I haven't even considered what Liverpool are doing at the minute," he added. "All I am worried about is my team and the trip to Birmingham. We have got a chance to get a result on the board."

He seems to be a doubt every week - looks as though we must be asking him to play with injuries?

 

[tadpole]

Sounds like he may well have been carrying an injury on Sunday. Which does put his much criticised performance in some perspective.

 

[garyasp_1878]

He has said previously that he has played in discomfort and may require surgery but this is a different injury again. Sounds like he has the shits

 

[Vim Fuego]

I've said it once and i'll say it again,the wide right role is physically too demanding for him, move him inside for the love of jehovah, then we'll all see him produce what we all know he is capable of.

 

[Great Dane]

Don't play him if he's injured it''s that simple!

A midfield of Ossie, Manny, Cars and one of Jags or Gravesen should be enough for Birmingham.

 

[garyasp_1878]

Don't play him if he's injured it''s that simple!

A midfield of Ossie, Manny, Cars and one of Jags or Gravesen should be enough for Birmingham.

Maybe if Pienaar is fit, which looks doubtful, we can get a good balance without Arteta but Tommy just hasnt done this buisness, all be it in cameo roles. I would like to see more of Baines in midfield and push Lescott back out to full back with Jags dropping back in the middle

 

[ToffeeDan]

Something tells me that Mikel is at 80% and Moyesie is worried that without him the result at Brum won't go our way. I feel that the performance against Derby should tell him that 80% isn't good enough - barely good enough to beat a team as poor as Derby (at home), draw with West Ham (only just hanging on for the point) and an abject performance at Fulham.

There were extenuating circumstances in the points dropped - the injury to AJ and the reshuffle with limited offensive options at Fulham didn't get us off the ground and, against West Ham the plan went awry with another early loss (Tim Cahill) forcing Manny on for 80 minutes. We all know that we had a 2nd goal disallowed but, after that we were poor in the extreme.

If Mikel isn't close to 100% he merits a rest - we have enough good players (if fit) to cope and allow Mikel to play in the remaining 4 games (3 at home) against better opponents.

TD

 

[Great Dane]

Something tells me that Mikel is at 80% and Moyesie is worried that without him the result at Brum won't go our way. I feel that the performance against Derby should tell him that 80% isn't good enough - barely good enough to beat a team as poor as Derby (at home), draw with West Ham (only just hanging on for the point) and an abject performance at Fulham.

There were extenuating circumstances in the points dropped - the injury to AJ and the reshuffle with limited offensive options at Fulham didn't get us off the ground and, against West Ham the plan went awry with another early loss (Tim Cahill) forcing Manny on for 80 minutes. We all know that we had a 2nd goal disallowed but, after that we were poor in the extreme.

If Mikel isn't close to 100% he merits a rest - we have enough good players (if fit) to cope and allow Mikel to play in the remaining 4 games (3 at home) against better opponents.

TD

Could'nt have said it better myself

 

[Blue_in_london]

4 man midfield - Ossie Carsley Manny Pienaar/Neville/Baines? & Yak with Johnson up front should be fine. Better than an unfit Arteta.

 

[Cal]

Wouldn't suprise me if he doesn't play at all now.

I'm not confident at all about getting 5th place.

 

[Philw]

I think this bode's well for next year tho. We've gone through most of this season with Arteta and Cahill, arguably are two best and most important players, either out with injury or not at full fitness and still we are in fifth and challenging for fourth and a champions league place. If those two come back to pre-season fully fit and can get thru next season without injury we can really make a go of the top 4

 

[evertonianstu]

Wouldn't suprise me if he doesn't play at all now.

I'm not confident at all about getting 5th place.

Im a bit nervous now i have to admit. We have some real tough matches now and Villa's and Pompey's run in looks a hell of a lot easier. We need a fully fit squad in order to close it out.

 

[caught]

Hm, even without Arteta I think we can take seven points from our next three games. That means Portsmouth will have to win four of their last five to finish above us. They won't do that.