Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta will miss the rest of the season after finally admitting defeat in his battle with stomach and groin injuries.The Spaniard was a second-half substitute in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa having previously spent time in his homeland having treatment.

However, he returned to training this week and reported further problems so David Moyes has written Arteta off for the Toffees' remaining Premier League matches against Arsenal on Sunday and Newcastle next weekend.

Ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium there are slight doubts over striker Andrew Johnson (calf) and midfielder Steven Pienaar (knee).

Toffees (from): Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Valente, Baines, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar, Fernandes, Yakubu, Anichebe, Johnson, Gravesen, Wessels, Rodwell, Gosling.

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