Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Everton to ‘fight’ after the club were deducted 10 points by the Premier League for breaching the division’s profit and sustainability rules.
Everton were handed a 10-point penalty last week, a sanction which has seen the Toffees drop into the Premier League’s relegation places.
The Merseyside club released a statement calling the punishment ‘wholly disproportionate’ and ‘unjust’, with protests expected during the club’s clash with Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend.
Arteta, who made 209 appearances for Everton during his playing career, says he still feels ‘very connected’ to the Toffees and has wished his former side ‘the best’ in their battle to stay up.
“I feel very connected to the club and it is a very difficult moment as it puts the club in a difficult position,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Brentford.
“But they have found themselves in a difficult position before and managed to get themselves out.
“If there are qualities that describes that club it is the coverage, determination and the fight. They will fight against anything and I wish them the best.”
Arteta is set for his own punishment after being charged for his comments in the aftermath of Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle on November 4. The Spaniard blasted VAR after his side’s 1-0 loss at St James’ Park and has refused to apologise for his post-match comments.
“We tried to give our points and our reasons why. There is a process and when you get asked to give your observations you have to do it in the right way.
“I think it’s good that we’re communicating. We all want to improve the game. To have that we have to have freedom of speech respectfully and in a constructive way. It’s good that they are talking.”
