Arsenal 'bought Arteta without a medical'

Mikel Arteta has claimed he signed for Arsenal without having a medical first.

The former Everton star revealed there was so little time to complete his £10million move on August 31 he told the Gunners he would assume liability if there was an issue with his fitness.

Arteta was handed a four-year deal and has played in six of he Gunners' seven subsequent games.

Describing his transfer on Deadline Day, he said: "It was very stressful. At 6pm, they said everything had broken down. Then, at 8.30pm, everything started again.

"But there wasn't time to have a medical. I went to the offices of the club [Everton] and from there I told Arsenal to trust me and that if some medical problem was found it would be my responsibility."

Arteta, who signed for Everton in 2005, underwent surgery to rectify a stomach injury in the second half of the 2007-08 season.

He also suffered a knee ligament injury in February 2009 that sidelined him for almost 12 months.

Fortunately for Arsenal, the Spainiard has made a solid start to his Gunners career, with his first Premier League goal for the club against Blackburn on September 17.

However, they went on to lose that game 4-3 and are stuck in their worst start to a season in Premier League history.

But Arteta insists the club will turn it around and win their frustrated fans over.

"It's obvious that the club is having a phase of one or two months of difficulties and there have been a lot of people disappointed," he said.

"But we'll come out of this. We'll compete for everything. Its down to us to give the fans reasons to get back to being excited."

Although he and Yossi Benayoun were drafted in to counter the sales of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, Arteta maintains he does not see himself as Cesc Mk II.

He went on: "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."

Arteta also hopes his playing at a higher level with Arsenal will help him in the fierce fight for places in the Spain squad.

He said: "I would have liked to have played for the national side already. Of course.

"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."

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