Arteta eyes Europe spot

Midfielder urges Everton to keep up momentum

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 22nd March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arteta eyes Europe spot

Arteta: Eyeing Europe spot

I think we need to win another six games. That is really tough but we want to get into the mix.

Mikel Arteta
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Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta believes the Toffees can earn a place in Europe if they win six of their eight remaining matches.

David Moyes' men kept their late bid for a qualifying spot on course with a 2-0 triumph against Bolton at Goodison Park on Saturday, with Spaniard Arteta clipping home a superb free-kick.

The win marked Everton's seventh consecutive Premier League home victory and saw them jump to eighth in the table, but Arteta insists they cannot afford to lose their current momentum.

Damage

The Toffees are still trying to undo the damage caused by their dismal start to the season, in which they managed just four wins from their first 18 fixtures.

"I think we are right in the mix at the moment and we have had some good results for us this weekend. We are really pleased," said Arteta.

"You can't always be really pretty and do everything nicely - the most important thing was to get the points and another win at home.

"But I think we need to win another six games. That is really tough but we want to get into the mix."

Everton left it late against Bolton, with Arteta finding the net just 18 minutes from time before Steven Pienaar added the insurance with a second goal after 89 minutes.

The Merseysiders had been scrappy in the first period but managed to turn things in their favour when last man Gretar Steinsson was red-carded for bringing down Yakubu, and 28-year-old Arteta was pleased with how his side battled for the win.

"I knew it was going to be hard - Bolton are a really strong side and physically they are hard to handle," he said.

"It was a mix but if we had been unable to compete physically against them, it would have been really tough to win it.

"The free-kick was a key moment because with 10 men, scoring made the game much easier. We then scored a second and the game was over."

Comeback

Arteta only made his comeback from a knee injury in January after being sidelined for 11 months, but the midfielder has gone on to score three goals in his last three outings.

"I am really pleased and I just want to keep doing it, if it helps the team get points," he added.

"My knee feels great, I can't feel anything. I am getting my rhythm and feel quicker every game. I am more confident and hopefully I will keep going."