Mikel Arteta: My last chance to be on big stage

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 29-year-old Spaniard signed a four-year deal after Everton finally accepted a £10million bid that had looked doomed only hours earlier.

The midfielder was so determined to push the deal through he agreed to take a £20,000-a-week pay cut on his wages at Goodison Park for a £55,000-a-week deal with Arsenal.

Arteta said today: "It is a big opportunity for me and my family and I think it is the right time for me to take it.

"It is a big challenge, a different challenge and I want to see myself on the biggest stage, the Champions League.

"I am 29, so I haven't got much time left to take a chance like this one. I always try hard, I have been as professional as I could and I was grateful for the support and the love that Everton and the fans showed me.

"It has been crazy. I can't believe what happened and the way it happened but that is part of football and I am going to be playing for another club soon."

Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate win over Udinese but the 8-2 demolition by Manchester United on Sunday ensured the Gunners had suffered their worst ever start in the Premier League era and left manager Arsene Wenger desperate to strengthen his squad.

Wenger also clinched a deadline-day loan deal for Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun in a frenetic day of transfer activity at Emirates Stadium. The club completed deals for Germany centre-back Per Mertesacker and Brazilian left-back Andre Santos, having captured South Korea captain Chu Young Park earlier in the week.

Wenger sanctioned loan moves for Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (West Ham) and Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell (Lorient).

Wenger said: "Santos is a quality player with the ability to both defend well and get forward. Per is a German international with vast experience."