Mikel Arteta is expected to receive a warm welcome by Everton supporters when he returns to Goodison Park with Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Everton assistant boss looking forward to clash
Mikel Arteta is expected to receive a warm welcome by Everton supporters when he returns to Goodison Park with Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The former Rangers and Real Sociedad star spent six-and-a-half years on Merseyside before joining the Gunners last summer for a reported fee of £10million.
The 29-year-old has settled into life in North London well, playing 23 times in the Premier League this season and netting six goals for Arsene Wenger's side.
Everton assistant manager Steve Round expects the home fans to give Arteta a warm round of applause when he takes to the pitch.
"He was a big favourite here and I think the Everton fans are very knowledgeable and respectful towards the senior players who have played for the club," said Round. "I think they'll give him a good reception.
"He was a tremendous player for us. His attitude when he played for Everton was never in question, his ability was second to none and I think the Everton fans respect that.
"We do welcome him back and obviously we'll be fighting hard to make sure he doesn't have an influence on the game."
Form
Round is expecting a tough encounter between the two in-form sides with Arsenal having won five league games in a row while the Toffees have suffered just one defeat in their last 10 games and have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham at Goodison Park.
"We've had a really good run of form against the big teams of late so we are looking forward to it," he added.
"It should be a cracking game because I think Arsenal are currently top of the league on current form, they've won five on the bounce in the Premier League, we've lost one in 11 so it should be a really good game, and one both teams will go out and try hard to win."
