Arsenal Transfers: Five Reasons Why Mikel Arteta Is Not the Answer

This is not supposed to sound bitter.

I will not hide the fact that I'm an Everton fan, but I like to think I can walk an unbiased line in this journalism lark.

I hope this article is more "5 points to ponder," rather than "5 reasons why I hate Arteta for leaving."

There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta was Everton's most creative force over recent seasons, at least until Leighton Baines came along as a challenger.

The little Spaniard is a set-piece artist, will create goals and could offer a nice foil for Jack Wilshere.

He is a wonderful passer of the ball, shows real class on the pitch and, if Wenger get's the best out of him, could be a steal at £10 million.

But he is by no means Arsenal's answer to their current problems.

Hands-up virtual Gooners who watched the horrific United game and thought "Gosh, Mikel Arteta is what we need," I don't think I see many hands.

After reading the fascinating statistical analysis, one thing that sticks out to me is that we English don't do stats.

Sabermetrics hasn't made it's way across the pond yet, we go off what we see. Here are five things Everton fans have seen that Arsenal fans may witness this season.

1) He Is Not Good Enough

Not even close.

I was at Fabregas's debut for Arsenal against Everton, when he still had a mullet and he was out of this world.

I have never been more impressed by a footballing performance, and I have never seen Mikel Arteta even get close to that level in all his 200+ Everton appearances.

Of course, players like Fabregas don't grow on trees, but why not aim a little higher for his replacement?

The likes of Goetze, Martin and Hazard, who have all been linked with Arsenal, offer a big step up from Arteta and all three would be great players for a lot longer.

To find Arteta's last good season, you have to go back to 2006/07, definitely not a good sign.

If Arteta finds his form again then Arsenal will have a good player, but he will not strike fear in the hearts of Mancunians.

2) Age

What sort of world do we live in where 29 is considered old?!

Arteta is no spring chicken in footballing terms, and he knocks Arsenal's average age up by about four years.

With the Gooners always viewed as a bastion of young football, Arteta seems like an odd signing.

Even if Arsene Wenger can get the best out of Arteta, the Spaniard's peak will only last a couple more seasons.

It seems to me that Arteta is an £11 million stop-gap, not a real replacement with a big future in North London. 

3) Injury

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Arteta has not been the same player since his serious knee injury two seasons ago.

It is such a shame that the Spanish maestro has not recovered his form, but it is the truth.

Everton fans have been searching for the Arteta of old for close to two seasons, and occasionally the midfielder shows glimpses of his old self, but never for prolonged periods of time.

Last week's League Cup game against Sheffield United was Arteta's first competitive 90 minutes for a while as the Spaniard missed preseason, and is still not fully fit.

I really hope Arteta stays fit and is given the chance to shine for Arsenal in the coming seasons, but as he gets older the little niggles will keep cropping up, and following knee surgery and hamstring injuries expect the Spaniard to see the physio room sooner rather than later. 

4) Big Games

This is something that stats cannot measure.

Mikel Arteta is great against weaker teams, but seems to disappear in games against the top sides.

Everton fans will tell you this odd phenomenon is the truth, but it still remains unexplained.

Last season we saw Arteta's first goal against top-class opposition since 2006, again we have to look back to his best season five years ago to find the player's value.

Maybe, with the quality of players that will surround him at Arsenal, this strange glitch will be reversed.

We will just have to wait and see.

5) Experience

Many Wenger critics have pointed to a lack of experience that has affected the club in recent years.

Having seen Jack Wilshere play in the Nou Camp, I seriously doubt this theory.

I'm not a big believer in the value of experience when it comes to football, but others are, so it must be discussed.

Arteta has all the Premier League experience you could need, he knows the pace and flow of the English game, and knows what he can and cannot do on the pitch.

I still can't help thinking that Arsenal should have gone for Marouane Fellaini instead.

He's a player with Premier League experience, and has a brighter future than the Spaniard. The Belgian would have cost more, but you would have gotten more out of him.

It will be interesting to see how Arteta's lack of Champions League experience affects his time at Arsenal.

I hope he glides into the European competition he has earned but, come the knock-out phase, we will know if Wenger is the genius for buying Arteta, or Moyes for selling him.

6) Conclusions

Up until last night, Mikel Arteta had been a loyal servant to the Everton cause, and I wish him well on his journey down South.

No one can blame him for forcing a move to a Champions League club, a club ready to compete at a level he deserves, but this next season is crucial for Arteta.

If injury affects his playing time, I don't expect Arteta to stay at Arsenal for long.

I hope Mikel is as good for you as he was for us, but I do have doubts.

A combination of age, injury and form have ruined his last two seasons, and after two years of average performances can the Spaniard find that form again?

If Wenger can get Arteta close to his 2006 form then this will prove a wonderful signing, but I can't help thinking that Arsenal have bought him a couple of years too late.

We shall see.