Arsenal are on a very good run at the moment but the fact is that our away form still leaves a lot to be desired, and no matter how good we are at the Emirates the stats tell us that we have only had two wins in our last 11 away games, and those were at Blackpool and Huddersfield. In League games we have only won one of our last 8.
So a win at Goodison Park is far from guaranteed, and Unai Emery seems to be philosophical about our chances. He said: “I am very realistic. We are in a good moment. It depends on Sunday as well, these three points, but now each match is very important for that. If we win, we are third. If we don’t win, we can’t hold this position.
“But football is each moment to enjoy, to prepare, to work, to play. It depends if we are efficient on the pitch. If we are – for 90 minutes – competitive, then I think we can achieve these three points. But it’s a long way to go and we need to be positive, but also realistic and the reality is that Sunday is a very big challenge and a very big opportunity now. We are going to continue in our way and Sunday is the first. I think the players are very, very focused for this match and for our moment.”
I do believe the boys are focused, but we still have to desperately get over our mental block away from the Emirates. I know everyone is predicting a win for us and I hope we are really over our awayday blues, but I certainly wouldn’t put money on it.
Darren N