Comments made by Mikel Arteta's agent risks putting the Spaniard offside with Everton fans.

The Spaniard is still waiting for his first cap, despite his outstanding displays in the Goodison midfield over the past two seasons.

Now Inaki Ibanez, who handles the player, has insisted Arteta, 26, is only missing out because he does not play for one of England's big four.

Ibanez claimed: "Mikel deserves better. If he was at one of the best four clubs in England or Spain he would be an international."