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Why Everton Will Pursue Arsenal Hard This Season

ByRobert Hunter|
Everton's Dutch manager Ronald Koeman leaves folowing the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 4, 2017.The match ended in a draw at 1-1. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Everton's Dutch manager Ronald Koeman leaves folowing the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 4, 2017.The match ended in a draw at 1-1. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

After a brilliant start to 2017, sparked by a heavy loss in the FA cup and inaction from the board to sign new players, Everton entered a run of form that would with 4 games to go, ultimately seal 7th place and European football. But what if we wanted more?

To most fans over the age of 40, European football is what they demand of Everton Football Club. They have seen the likes of Lineker score 30 goals in a season, witnessed the majesty of Howard Kendall’s reign of terror in English football, witnessed Goodison rock and roar. Many contemporary Everton fans may have only witnessed Everton under Martinez, these fans have no reason to expect European football, they may view his first season as a fluke and see Everton as currently over-achieving.

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In the older group of the fan base, we see a clear sense of entitlement and arrogance (in a good way), we see the belief that anything below European football is completely unacceptable. With 7th now more or less secured, the club culture of high expectations means that some fans are still not satisfied.

With Arsenal in poor form and Everton one point ahead, we hear a real call from fans that Everton should pursue 6th. There is a considerable difference between 6th and 7th, not needing to qualify for the group stages would be a significant achievement that the current regime would be elated should they finish higher than Arsenal.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Ronald Koeman, Manager of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Ronald Koeman, Manager of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Koeman has inferred that he was unhappy with the preseason he inherited from Martinez. Everton played in the Dresden cup during the summer and were knocked out when Dresden themselves sealed our fate. From this we can speculate he would be equally as unhappy should he have to interrupt his first organised preseason campaign, by playing against plucky European teams who would be playing their hearts out.

If we get 6th then Koeman will be able to work with the club to get what he believes will get the squad into perfect condition to start the season, and test the waters with any new signings he makes.

Up the Ev.

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