Penalized by ten points for financial infraction, Everton “has been in a lot of other difficult positions and he always finds a way out,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, a former Toffees player, said on Friday.
“I feel very connected to this club,” said the former midfielder who played for the Liverpool club between 2005 and 2011. “It’s a very difficult moment. “Obviously it puts the club in a difficult position, but he’s been in a lot of other difficult positions and he always finds a way out,” he said at a press conference.
Everton is one of the historic clubs of the English Premier League, with a continuous presence since 1954/55. But he regularly fights to stay in the elite, like last season when the specter of relegation was only postponed until the last day.
“If there is one quality that I think describes this club, it is courage, determination and fight,” Arteta continued. “They will fight against anything and I wish them the best,” said the Spaniard, on the eve of Arsenal’s match at Brentford (Saturday 6:30 p.m.).
During the international break, the Everton club was deducted ten points in the standings for alleged violation of its rules of profitability and viability. This is the strongest sporting sanction ever imposed in the history of the competition.
“The news took me by surprise and it’s an important event in the middle of the season, but I don’t know the regulations or the whole story behind it, so it’s difficult for me to comment on it” , Arteta evacuated.
Everton, then fourteenth, remained on three wins in five matches before their sanction. The Toffees find themselves demoted to penultimate place with four points, two less than Luton, the current first non-relegation place.
Their supporters have planned to carry out several protest actions during the weekend, and in particular on the occasion of the Manchester United reception on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) at Goodison Park, where “Corrupt Premier League” signs will be distributed to the public.