Martinez predicts ‘twists & turns’ in top-four race with Arsenal & Spurs
Everton manager Roberto Martinez hopes 71 or 72 points will be enough to help his side secure a fourth-place finish
Roberto Martinez has predicted plenty of “twists and turns” in Everton’s battle for a fourth-place finish with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Toffees’s 3-0 win at Newcastle on Tuesday moved them to within six points of fourth-placed Arsenal, who have played one game more and face title contenders Manchester City at The Emirates this weekend.
I do feel that this season, the league could spring a few surprises from now until the end in every single area
Roberto Martinez
Everton welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park on 6 April which could be a decisive game in the race to finish in the top-four, and Martinez hopes to cap a phenomenal season by securing a Champions League spot.
“There are going to be a lot of twists and turns. I just think you can’t look elsewhere,” Martinez said.
“I am just looking at the points tally. I just feel if we can get anywhere near 71, 72 points and that gets us into the Champions League, it will be an outstanding achievement.
“If that doesn’t get us into the Champions League, it will be a phenomenal season from our point of view, so I am not looking elsewhere at all.
“We have got Arsenal to play at home, we have got Manchester United and Manchester City, so in that respect it’s a really good fixture list for us, glamorous.
“Looking at the run we have at Goodison allows us to play with confidence, so you never know.
“But I do feel that this season, the league could spring a few surprises from now until the end in every single area.”
