Mikel Arteta's cruciate knee ligament operation has been deemed a success by Everton. The 26 year old faces up to six months on the sidelines with the problem and Everton physio Mick Rathbone insists the player is in good spirits after one of the Blues' other backroom staff, Matt Connery, travelled with Arteta to Spain for the operation.
"Matt told me that the surgeon is extremely pleased with the procedure and that it couldn't have gone any better, which is great news," Rathbone told the club's official website.
"Importantly, Mikel himself is also in very good spirits."