Everton took a few days away from England this week, and the hope is that it will kickstart the rest of the season, as the Toffees look to push toward a potential European place in the final table. It won't be easy given the schedule, however.
The run starts with a trip to London to take on league-leading Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, in a matchup that is more strength against strength than many might have imagined.
Everton have been excellent on the road this season, taking 24 points, tied with Manchester City for the third most points in away matches in the league, just behind Chelsea (25) and the Gunners themselves (32).
Arsenal, unfortunatley, are also excellent at the Emirates, taking 35 points, one behind City for most in the Premier League (the less said about Everton's position in this version of the table the better).
The London club are also tops in the league in goals scored, with 59, also level with City, while allowing just 22 to their opponents, also best in the Premier League. So there's little doubt this will be a tough test for Everton.
That doesn't mean the Toffees can't get a result, but it will take things going just right. Here are three things they need to do in order to get points at the Emirates on Saturday.
No.1: Batten down the hatches
Arsenal are third in the league in shots per 90 with 14.30, with 4.87 per 90 on target. That means that Everton should be ready for an onslaught on shots coming their way.
That means it will take a solid performance from the Everton backline and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in order to keep the match from getting out of hand.
Hopefully, that means that Everton manager David Moyes will go with a strong centerback pairing, preferably one that includes Jarrad Branthwaite in his best position, as blocks and clearances will be paramount for the Toffees on Saturday.
No.2: Hit on the counter
There won't be many opportunities for Everton on the ball on Saturday, and it's not just because Moyes' side aren't that comfortable with it. Arsenal are just more likely to control the match via possession, as they average 54% of the possession in their matches this season.
So Everton need to be quick to strike when the chances come, hitting the Gunners on the counter when the home side does make a mistake. That means players like Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall must be ready to pounce when those chances to present themselves.
It would also be nice to see someone with more pace opposite Ndiaye, since Dwight McNeil isn't an ideal option to take care of this type of counterattacking football.
No.3: Finish those chances
Everton aren't great in creating chances (the squad averages just 11.07 shots per 90, 3.41 of which are on target), and have scored 34 goals on an xG of 35.75, which suggests their finishing as a club is reasonable.
If the Toffees want points at the Emirates on Saturday, that will need to be the case yet again.
There won't be many opportunities, as noted above, so the goal scorers, be it Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall or the strikers, whether Theirno Barry or Beto, will need to make good when they do come.