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Moyes fears Everton exodus

David Moyes saw Mikel Arteta leave for £10m to Arsenal © Getty Images

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Everton boss David Moyes has admitted the sale of Mikel Arteta may have sent out the wrong message to the club's current squad.

Arteta, 29, left for Arsenal on transfer deadline day after the Gunners lodged a £10 million bid for the midfielder, who was granted his wish of a move to Emirates Stadium following news of their interest in his services.

But, while the futures of Everton trio Phil Jagielka, Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell have been the subject of conjecture, Moyes has indicated the sale of Arteta does not mean the Toffees are a selling club.

"It [Arteta's departure] could do, it could set a precedent," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I accept that, but on this occasion I thought it was the right one to do."

In light of Arteta's exit, Moyes is looking to Fellaini and Rodwell to forge a strong partnership in midfield, after pairing the youngsters in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa.

"If that is a partnership that works and people like then maybe that can be the partnership for the season," he told evertontv. "But I know there are a lot of good central midfielders at the club so I am taking nothing for granted.

"I am still developing as a player. It seems a long time ago I made my debut (in 2007) and I do feel as though I have come on an awful lot as a player. But I am still only 20 and hopefully I can continue learning and getting better.

"I probably play best as a central midfielder in a two or a three. I can sit and defend or I can get forward as well but I like to get box-to-box."

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