View: Everton must keep European hopes alive against Arsenal
Everton have seen their European hopes diminish severely over the past few weeks, with the club being winless in five having not helped matters.
The Toffees face Arsenal on Friday and face major pressure, with Carlo Ancelotti aware that his side has to win in order to retain any hope that Europe can be achieved before the end of the campaign.
The Italian manager will have a raft of players back fit and available for selection against the Gunners, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin the notable return for Everton as they travel to the Emirates.
Everton are six points behind fourth place in the Premier League table, with a game in hand on all of the teams above them except Leicester, and a win in London on Friday would give the club a huge boost.
The Blues are still set to face West Ham before the end of the season, who currently sit fifth on goal difference, making European qualification still a very real possibility, despite Everton having made it much more difficult for themselves.
Everton’s loss to Burnley and the draws with Crystal Palace, Brighton and Tottenham are results that have hurt the club and knocked their confidence, but they must take positives into the game at the Emirates.
James Rodriguez spearheaded the Toffees’ creative and offensive movements against Spurs, and should he managed to do the same again with Calvert-Lewin now available to convert the accompanying chances, Everton have every opportunity to beat Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit below Everton in the table, and after they required a goal in the dying moments of their game against Fulham in order to draw level last weekend, it’s clear that the Gunners aren’t exactly in fine form themselves.
It remains to be seen whether Everton can reach the European spots before the end of the season, but it still somehow remains within the Merseyside club’s hands to qualify.
If they can build some confidence, find their feet quickly and beat the teams put in front of them then European football could very much find its way to Goodison Park next season.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have already caused some damage on one of the ESL breakaway clubs.
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