MIKEL ARTETA has hailed former team-mate Marouane Fellaini as key to Everton's top four hopes.
Fellaini, 25, scored the equaliser in the Blues 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday, which kept the Toffees on the tails of their rivals for a Champions League spot.
The pair played alongside each other at Goodison before the Spaniard's £10m move to the Gunners last year and Arteta admits the midweek clash gave him a strong indication of Fellaini's talent.
“I think it is much more difficult to play against him when he is playing in that forward position around the box,” Arteta said. “He creates a lot of problems, he uses his size well and he is a threat around the goal, as you can see from his goals.
“For me, he is much more efficient playing there than when he is deeper. I have seen a tremendous improvement in him, especially in that position. He is one of the most difficult midfielders to play against because of his size. You don't normally come up against players like that in that position.”
Everton sit one point above Arsenal in sixth place after Tottenham moved up two spots with their win over Liverpool.
