Osman - Toffees targeting Gunners

Osman: Aiming high

Now we are chasing the people above us, we feel we can chase down someone else.

Leon Osman
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Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes teams above the Toffees in the table should start looking over their shoulders.

The Merseysiders have closed to within two points of fifth-placed Arsenal following their 2-0 win over rock-bottom West Brom on Saturday.

The win ensures Everton now have an eight-point lead on seventh-placed West Ham, meaning they can go all-out to improve on their current placing.

"We are on a really good run, and we have now opened up a pretty decent gap between us and the teams below us," stated Osman.

"Now we are chasing the people above us, we feel we can chase down someone else.

"We always look up rather than over our shoulders and if we can get up another place we will be delighted. We believe we can do just that."

Setback

Everton suffered a setback recently after losing Mikel Arteta to a season-ending injury in their goalless draw at Newcastle United.

Osman has acknowledged that losing the Spanish playmaker is massive blow, although he believes that will only serve to bring out the best in David Moyes' side.

"It is tough because we have now lost Mikel. But we are not a one-man team," he continued. "Disappointment seems to bring this club together.

"We have had a succession of serious injury blows, players have had to perform out of position but we seem to overcome all the problems and keep the bandwagon rolling.

"That is the way our squad works. Every disappointment we have suffered so far has brought us together, and that will happen now Mikel is out.

"We are right behind Arsenal now and we feel we can catch them, and even Aston Villa. We have played most of the top clubs away from home now, so we are looking to pick up points from teams below us."