David Moyes makes Mikel Arteta thoughts clear ahead of Arsenal vs West Ham

28 December 2023 , 07:30

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Mikel Arteta spent seven years at Everton under David Moyes. (Image: Getty Images)

David Moyes knew from early on that Mikel Arteta was an unusually deep thinker but during seven seasons in which the now Arsenal boss went from loanee to captain at Everton, it was never that obvious that he would become one of the game’s brightest managers.

Moyes brings his West Ham side to the Emirates tonight warning of an “incredibly difficult” challenge against his former player.

And despite getting that advance glimpse of Arteta’s character, Moyes did not have him nailed down for a successful career in the dugout.

"He was always someone who had a deeper thought, always thinking about football and preparing himself well," Moyes said.

“He was quite quiet at the start because obviously he came in on loan, then we brought him in [permanently]. But my staff at the time were saying, ‘you need to keep Mikel, you need to keep Mikel.’ He went on to become captain and all sorts for us over a long period. He was always developing, showing his traits.

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“I don’t think you can necessarily pick out which ones will be the coaches. There’s not something that makes you say, ‘He’s got to be because he thinks a bit deeper or trains a bit harder.’

“I don't think there is something that stands out. Sometimes you just get a feeling if someone is doing their coaching badges early. But Mikel was just a good football guy. He’s come from good stock and he’s had a chance to see some good people work.”

Moyes managed Arteta during his time as a player at Everton (Getty Images)

While much attention will fall on Declan Rice ’s second meeting against his former club, the Hammers have an ex-Gunner in their ranks who is beginning to find his feet. Dinos Mavropanos arrived in east London in the summer from Stuttgart, whom he joined having failed to breakthrough at Arsenal.

And with Nayef Aguerd, who faces a late fitness test today after missing the weekend win over Manchester United with illness, heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next week, Mavropanos is set for an increased role in the starting XI.

“He’s settled in pretty well,” Moyes added. “He’s done a steady job. We’ve been able to bring him in and he’s had the European games to find his feet and he’s played a couple of League Cup games. There’s bits he has done really well and there are bits you can see he’s getting used to what the Premier League is like.”

Alan Smith