Arteta came on as substitute to play 15 minutes against Birmingham

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has spoken of his relief at being over his injury problems after playing in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Birmingham.

The Spaniard has been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February 2009.

"I was feeling a bit strange on the pitch as it's been a long time," Arteta told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I was so excited on just to get on. For me it's been a really good day and I hope those bad days are past."

The 27-year-old was at the heart of much of Everton's best play last season before picking up the knee injury against Newcastle in February.

Arteta says he has grown as a person while he has been out of action and just wants to start matches as soon as possible.

"I've been away for a long time and I've been training hard to get back," he said.

"It's been difficult and I have learned a lot. I've had three surgeries for three different reasons.

"But it's a part of football and sometimes when you're out you can see things differently. But I'm glad to be back and I couldn't wait.

"Hopefully now I can start giving the team something different."

But manager David Moyes says Arteta is still a long way from being considered for a starting place and the midfielder accepts he has to be patient.

"It's going to take a little time," Arteta said. "[Moyes] said to me last week he wants to manage the situation the best way he can.

"I just want to make it a hard decision for him and play as many games and as many minutes as possible.

"The lads out there deserve to be playing before me at the moment. So I need to gain the manager's confidence now."

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