Everton manager Roberto Martinez says his new recruit, Christian Atsu will need some time to fully settle down at Goodison Park after handing the Ghanaian international a seven minute debut against Arsenal last Saturday.
The former Porto winger came on as a second half substitute, but had little time to save his side in their 2-2 draw.
The Black Stars attacking midfielder came on in the 84th minute for The Toffees after replacing Kevin Mirallas and though Martinez was happy with his output, he expects him to gradually warm himself up into the Premiership.
“I think it's too early to tell, but I do expect a little bit of an adaptation period because he has not played in the Premier League and that always brings an adaptation period,” he said.
“How long that's going to be is impossible to tell. I just feel because he has been working at an English club, many of the aspects you get when you come as a foreign player won't affect Christian.
“Physically, he's in a good moment and it's about us giving him the right time to adapt to the needs of this league more than anything. It's hard to tell, but I feel the way he played in the World Cup, the way he adapted to the conditions, I'm quite positive it is going to be a short period.”
Everton took the lead in the 19th minute when Seamus Coleman headed in with a powerful header from a cross by Gareth Barry. Steven Naismith added another one on the stroke of half time when a teasing pass from Romelu Lukaku found him to send the home crowd into wild jubilation.
The Gunners fought hard but they could not get themselves back into the game until Aaron Ramsey was found after a tailor-measured cross from Ozil found Santi Carzola and the Spaniard delivered a cross into the six-yard box which was tapped home by Ramsey.
Roberto Martinez resorted to Atsu but there was little the Ghanaian could do when substitute Olivier Giroud got in front of Sylvain Distin to send in a powerful header after Nacho Monreal did very well to send in a wonderful cross for Giroud to nod past Howard for the much needed equaliser for Arsene Wenger’s side to end the game 2-2 at the Goodison Park.
