Arsenal vs Everton preview - Vermaelen: Gunners run must go on

Posted Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by PA

Captain Thomas Vermaelen has challenged Arsenal to maintain their momentum towards securing a top-four finish with victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium .

The Gunners produced a late rally to come from behind and beat Norwich 3-1 on Saturday, which lifted them into third place as neither Chelsea nor Tottenham were in Barclays Premier League action.

It was a fifth straight win on the back of their Champions League victory away to Bayern Munich - an heroic performance which looks to have restored the belief within Arsene Wenger's squad.

Vermaelen, recalled to the side against Norwich as Per Mertesacker was suspended, called on Arsenal to make the most of their new-found spirit when David Moyes' well-drilled side come to the Emirates Stadium.

"We are on a run now. We have got a good momentum at the moment. We are winning a lot of games," Vermaelen said on Arsenal Player.

"Tuesday is an important game again at home so we have to keep fighting and try to get three points."

Arsenal could have Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky available again after he missed the Norwich game with a hamstring problem, which could see Jack Wilshere rested.

Wenger must also decide whether to recall Mertesacker or stick with his captain alongside Laurent Koscielny.

Full-back Nacho Monreal was on the bench at the weekend, and could return in place of Kieran Gibbs, while Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski - who scored the third goal in stoppage-time - are all pressing for a place in the starting XI after impressive substitute displays when they came on to help change the Norwich game around.

Everton manager David Moyes will assess a few knocks and bruises.

The squad came through Saturday's victory over QPR without any significant injuries but the Toffees boss needs to assess their overall fitness for the midweek game.

Defender Tony Hibbert is set to continue his comeback from calf surgery by playing for the under-21s.

Moyes recognises importance of game

Moyes accepts the clash could be vital to their Champions League aspirations but does not believe defeat will necessarily bring an end their top-four dream.

The Toffees moved to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who have a match in hand, and four of the Gunners in third after beating QPR 2-0 at the weekend.

For that reason the meeting at the Emirates Stadium, where Everton have a woeful record, has been billed as make or break for the Merseysiders' top-four hopes.

But while Moyes knows it is a significant match he refuses to accept they will be knocked out of contention if they lose.

"It is a vital game now because games are running out," he said.

"I think if we have any small chances of making the Champions League we have to get something out of it and peg back Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

"We are the big underdogs to get anywhere close to that but the way they have been playing keeps us hoping there is a real chance.

"There is a lot to lose because if we didn't win it the media would be the first to say we wouldn't make the Champions League.

"But from the other point of view we feel no matter what happens we are still in the fight for a European spot and for Everton to be saying that at this stage of the season is a positive thing.

"Maybe after Tuesday night you could be saying Everton won't make the top four but probably for the last three months people have been saying we won't make it."

"But we could lose to Arsenal, win all our remaining games and still make the Champions League depending on results."