Mikel Arteta Did Not Join Arsenal ‘to Replace Cesc Fabregas’ in Deadline-Day Transfer

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed the details surrounding his sensational deadline-day transfer from Everton to Arsenal. The entire process took just over three hours and the player even declined a medical examination and personally assumed liability for any issues, according to the Daily Mirror. Arteta concludes that he did not move to Arsenal as a replacement for its departed captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Spanish playmaker said, "I am not here to replace Cesc. If I try to do that, it will turn out badly. I've been here for three weeks and he was here seven years. I have a personality which is definitely different to his. I would be making a mistake if I was trying to be the same or even better than him.

"I have to find my own way. My own style. Cesc was the best player of Arsenal and one of the three best players in the Premier League. My aim is only to try to give my maximum level as a player and help the team as much as I can."

Fabregas famously left Arsenal after eight years with the club. He returned home to FC Barcelona, where he had been longing to return for at least the previous two seasons.

A week after Fabregas departed, Samir Nasri exited Arsenal, joining Manchester City. This left manager Arsene Wenger short of creative midfield options and he turned his attention to the Everton star.

Arteta joined Arsenal in a £10 million ($15.4 million) deal on August 31, hours before the close of the summer transfer window. There was no time for club doctors to perform the standard medical examination, which is the final point of most transfer deals.

The 29-year-old fought to join the Gunners, thinking it was his last chance to join a team that plays in the UEFA Champions league. He hopes to play his way onto the World Cup and European Championship winning Spanish National Team. It is a tall order, but Arteta has not given up hope of representing his country.

"I would have liked to have played for the national side already. Of course." He said. "The competition is extremely strong but I wont rule anything out. Being in the Champions League with Arsenal, we'll see if my level is good enough for the international team or not."