Arteta is a real team player

Arteta: Chasing trophies

Mikel Arteta is hoping to add team success to his ever-growing haul of personal accolades.

The Spanish midfielder has been named Everton's player of the season for the past two years and was recently presented with the Liverpool Echo sports personality of the year after a string of impressive performances over the past 12 months.

However, since arriving at Goodison Park in 2005 he is yet to get his hands on any silverware with the Toffees and he is keen to redress that situation as soon as possible.

Their opportunities have been limited this year after recently being knocked out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage by Chelsea and suffering a shock defeat in the FA Cup to Oldham, but they remain in contention for the Uefa Cup and Arteta is hoping that their European adventure could result in them picking up their first major trophy since the FA Cup way back in 1995.

Delighted

"We have been waiting for years to get something so we can't wait anymore," he told Everton's official website.

"It is going really well and hopefully it is going to keep on going well and go even better.

"The club is doing all the right things at the moment and everybody is delighted."

The Toffees are also well on course to achieve a UEFA Champions League spot in the Premier League and will welcome back their African contingent for Saturday's game against Reading.

Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni will help to add strength in key areas of the field, while Steven Pienaar's injury is not as bad as first feared and he could be back in contention for the Uefa Cup tie with Brann next Wednesday.

Advantage

Arteta feels that the squad has been bolstered at just the right time and fully expects the team to now kick on in their pursuit of glory.

"We need three points at the weekend," he said.

"We are playing some very important teams so it would be an advantage if we can win.

"We have got Steven Pienaar, Yakubu and Joseph Yobo coming back so that will be good for the team as well.

"Now we are going to have everybody fit. We have been short on numbers in the last few weeks but we have been performing and getting the points.

"It is coming up to the most important part of the season and we want everybody available."