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Mikel Arteta has opened up on his relationship with Everton fans, and said he never meant to upset anyone with his move to Arsenal.

The midfielder was unquestionably one of David Moyes' best signings as many when joining in 2005, initially on loan in January before making the move permanent from Real Sociedad in the summer.

Over the next six years the Spaniard made himself an integral part of the Blues setup, winning the hearts of fans quickly with some dazzling footwork and outstanding goals.

However, that relationship was soured in some quarters after a deadline day move to Arsenal in 2011, which left Everton with little time to find a replacement for him.

Now, speaking to the official club website , Arteta has opened up on his relationship with the Everton supporters and explained the reasons behind his decision to move to the Emirates when he did.

"To be fair, those fans were incredible with me," Arteta said.

"I always felt part of that family, they made me feel very welcome and I tried to give on the pitch what I had to make them proud.

"My only concern was when I left. I felt personally that I gave my best and that I couldn't offer anything else.

"I thought a year before that I should move, I had a move in place but the chairman and David said, 'No we don't want you to go, stay one more year'.

"I thought the limit was there and I would only go down, but I didn't want that feeling because in seven years we went from here to being fighting with the top four teams for the Champions League and that was a big gap.

"I didn't think that they [the fans] understood my decision and they were so disappointed, which I understand because they didn't want me to leave.

"When I went back on my first time with Arsenal they were upset and the reaction towards me wasn't what I was expected, because my feelings towards them were completely different.

"But that is football and you can't make everybody happy. I understood that I made people upset and I am very sorry but it wasn't my intention, it was because I truly believed that it was the right time for me."

One particular night that won the hearts of Everton supporters came in 2008 in the UEFA Cup against Fiorentina.

Going into the match 2-0 down from the away leg, the Blues pulled it back to 2-2 on aggregate thanks to a stunning strike from Arteta before unfortunately exiting the tournament on penalties.

That atmosphere is widely considered to be the best at Goodison Park in recent years, and the Spaniard remembers it well.

Arteta added : "Oh incredible, you know you're talking about it and my skin goes like this!

"I remember that night, honestly that stadium is so particular and it's different. It's very English.

"When you're a player, you step on that pitch and you have that sense around the crowd and the fans - the energy they create is incredible."

The midfielder also had a brilliant relationship with fellow Moyes signing Tim Cahill, who he believes was the 'identity' of Everton at the time.

Arteta said : "He was my closest friend, he was like a brother to me.

"On the pitch we used to get on really well, we used to understand each other very well but outside the pitch we had a great relationship.

"Up to now he's one of those players I can say is my closest friend.

"He was the identify of that club, he had everything that the club could demand for a player to be. He could put his head into any challenge, he would fight for any ball, he had a desire to win every game.

"In my opinion he was the guy who had the identity of the club."