Mikel Arteta? Yes, please.

The Guardian is reporting that we are making a bid for Mikel Arteta. Excerpts:

Arsène Wenger...[is] prepared to break with tradition and spend a considerable fee on a more experienced player [Arteta] during the transfer window.

Moyes and his chairman, Bill Kenwright, have stressed that they will be dismissive of interest in their players in the transfer window. "None of our players is for sale," said Kenwright this week. Yet Arsenal could test that resolve and would be prepared to pay up to £12m...Any successful move for Arteta would probably require the midfielder to agitate for a transfer — he has consistently indicated he is content on Merseyside in recent times — but the lure of Champions League football and, consequently, a higher profile with which finally to claim international recognition, having featured earlier for the Under-21s, would be enticing. The 26-year-old is in the highest bracket of earners at Goodison, though Arsenal would improve his wages and, ultimately, he may end up a more viable option for Wenger to pursue than Arshavin.

Having had my heart broken this summer over Alonso, I am trying not to get too excited or hopeful, but this would be so perfect (see my wish list). Like Alonso, I've liked Arteta for quite a while -- I really do think he's the mirror image of Cesc. Very Arsenal in his style of play (I remember watching an Everton game earlier this year where the commentator said the same thing).

As to the veracity of the report, besides the fact that the Guardian is a reputable paper? Hmm.

1) A price of £12 million seems about right for us -- the £20 million asking price for Arshavin is the main reason I don't think that's going to happen. Unless, of course, we do both. HA.

2) He is from a "lower" club, so the chance to play for Arsenal, and in the Champions League, would be a big draw for him (as opposed to someone like Alonso). As the story notes, playing at Arsenal would also help his international career. Not 100% on this, but I believe he has yet to be capped.

3) He has Premier League experience.

4) He is not cup-tied.

5) Everton could use the money, and presumably they could use it to buy a couple more players, including strikers (to replace, I read somewhere, Louis Saha -- the "Tomas Rosicky of France." Ha.).

On the other hand, Arteta is arguably their most influential player (with Cahill), so I'm not sure why Moyes would let him go. Maybe if we upped the price and he put in a transfer request? Not sure. All I know is that I REALLY HOPE THIS HAPPENS.

What is it with me and Spanish midfielders?