ARTETA BATTLING THROUGH PAIN BARRIER

Thursday 28 February 2008, 11:52
by Scott McLeod @efc_scottmcleod

Mikel Arteta is desperate to get back to playing football with a smile on his face.

The Everton Player of the Year has been in Spain this week receiving intensive treatment on a niggling stomach and groin problem that has been troubling the playmaker since October.

The problem ruled him out of the Uefa Cup first leg encounter with SK Brann, as well as Monday's victory over Manchester City at the City of Manchester stadium, as he seeks the solution that will eradicate the pain.

The problem has been troubling the influential midfielder for some time and he is keen to do what is necessary to ensure he is no longer having to play through the pain barrier in the remaining games of the season.

He told evertonfc.com: "I have been playing in so much pain since October, it has been hard to enjoy playing with that much pain all the time. I like to enjoy my football and I want to get back to enjoying football when I am on the pitch. It has been the same problem with my stomach and groin since October. It really needs rest to get rid of it properly - and some players would be happy to sit out for eight weeks to do that - but I want to be playing and helping the team. That is why I have tried not to stop.

"But I really want to be able to play pain-free again. That is why I have missed the games recently. It is feeling better but I am still not sure if it is going to be pain free for the next game. It is something that is hard to get rid of quickly. It has been there for three and a half months and I don't want it to continue until the end of the season.

"I want to be enjoying my football - not worrying about doing something that might bring the pain back. Hopefully the time I have spent back in Spain in the last few weeks will help improve it and I will be happier playing again.

"We have had a great season and we want that to keep going right until May. We are all confident we can do something special this season and it is a privilege to ba part of that. I want to play as big a role as possible in helping the lads continue to get good results, both in the league and in Europe. This has been a fantastic season and I want to make sure I miss as little of it as possible, for myself, my teammates and the fans."

Everton's next match is against Portsmouth at Goodison on Sunday. Manager David Moyes remains hopeful the talented Arteta will be available to figure in the contest against Harry Redknapp's impressive travellers.