MIKEL ARTETA feels it is absolutely vital to bring European football back to Goodison Park if Everton are to become one of the Premiership’s leading lights again.
The Blues’ squad returned from a four-day bonding trip in New York this morning and immediately turned their attentions to next Sunday’s Arsenal clash.
Though Everton have an Intertoto Cup entry if they miss out on a top six place, the players are determined to ensure that remains only a precautionary measure by scoring six wins between now and May 13.
Should they do that, Everton would almost certainly be guaranteed a place in next year’s UEFA and Arteta - the club’s second highest scorer with eight goals - reckons they are perfectly placed to start realising their potential, on and off the pitch.
“It would be massive if we could hang on to sixth place,” said Arteta. “We know the last nine games are going to be difficult. But we have got a big chance.
“Alan Irvine said that we need six wins, so hopefully that will be enough to take us where we want to be. If we could get that, it would be absolutely amazing for everyone.
“It is so important that we are playing in Europe – not just for the players and the management, but for the fans. If we want to start building a better club and being more ambitious, we have got to be in Europe.
“If it meant starting in July for the Intertoto, that’s fine. It wouldn’t be great, but we would accept it. Hopefully, we won’t need to play in that competition.”
Arteta was again mischievously linked with a move to Atletico Madrid this week, but Everton laughed off the reports from Spain and intend to open talks in the summer with their influential midfielder over a new deal.
Arteta is satisfied with how things are going for him on Merseyside and is quick to point out how much he feels his game has improved during the time he has been at Everton.
“You see the work rate in a game like against Sheffield United and you know you have got to match them,” he said. “You’d never find a game like that in Spain, but it is really good if you can handle it, as it shows you are improving. You learn to play another kind of football and become a more complete player.”
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