Arteta says beating Everton would be best way to prepare for Real Madrid

The 31st round of the 2024/25 Premier League will be staged, and Arsenal will go to Goodison Park to challenge Everton. Arteta said that this will be a special game and that beating Everton will be the best way to prepare for the match against Real Madrid.

With goals from Merino and Saka, Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 in the last round of the league. After two consecutive wins, Arsenal is currently ranked second in the standings with 61 points, 12 points behind Liverpool, which means that the Gunners must continue to gain points to continue competing with Liverpool for the championship.

In terms of the record of confrontations, Arsenal have achieved 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the last 5 matches against Everton, including a 0-0 draw with the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium this season.

Arsenal manager Arteta said at a press conference, “This will be a very special game. The two clubs have a lot of history. I myself have very good memories, and now the former coach is back and he has done a great job. I am happy for Everton and Moyes, because returning to the old club is never easy.”

"For me, he's the guy who took that club to another level. They're moving to a new stadium and he's taking them on a new journey, so I think it's a really beautiful story."

Arteta continued, “The style of play they want to play is completely different from ours, and the challenge in the Premier League is how to bring the game into the rhythm you want and do it as often as possible. The final victory or defeat is often decided in the two penalty areas, so you must show a stronger side there.”

On the other hand, Arsenal will host La Liga giants Real Madrid at home in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals next week, which is another important and difficult game.

Arteta said, "The most important thing for us now is the match against Everton, and the best way to prepare for the match against Real Madrid is to go all out to beat Everton. Football is a sport full of excitement, and you must continue to do what you should do."

"You can't think about the intensity of other games in advance, including the level of preparation of each team. There is no room for thinking like this, and you can't let yourself think too far ahead."