Arsene Wenger, Roberto Martinez hold different views

ARSENE WENGER admitted it will be difficult for Arsenal to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League unless they get back to basics.

ARSENE WENGER admitted it will be difficult for Arsenal to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League unless they get back to basics and overcome the crisis of confidence that he believes cost them a 3-0 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park.

Everton's sixth successive victory took them to within one point of Arsenal with a game in hand and Wenger said: “We have to regroup, get back to basics and congratulate Everton on a fine performance. The fight (for fourth) is very open and is not depending on us as Everton are in a strong position.

“Until the Liverpool match (when Arsenal were beaten 5-1) we were very convincing away from home but psychologically we have lost a bit of confidence. Today we were behind early. We had a lot of the ball but weren't really dangerous.

“Everton defended well and we lack a bit of confidence to be dangerous, as well as penetration. The incisiveness of our game is missing. That makes a difference. I wouldn't question the spirit of this team because they want to do well, but they have lost something of the confidence.

“We looked a bit disjointed when we had to chase the score. I don't know if there's a fear among the players, I'd just say our big defeats away have taken a bit of the charisma away from the team. But I am 100 per cent determined to fight to make top four but it will be difficult.”

Despite praising his players for producing “a feel-good performance”, Roberto Martinez cautioned that the victory over Arsenal will be meaningless if Everton fail to win their next game away to Sunderland.

“I knew three points today would give us 63, which is an incredible return at this stage, but there are still 18 to play for,” the Everton manager said.

“It was a great performance, huge from a psychological point of view, but if we aren't up for it at Sunderland it will mean nothing.

“What's important is you need to have an aim — that can be an easy one or you reach high and try to follow a dream. I always like to have a team when you have dream to follow.

“Arsenal from now to the end of the season have 15 points to fight for and it will be a tough and close battle.”

The Times