Wenger tells Arsenal to hold their nerve

LONDON. Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to hold their nerve as the Gunners look to cement their return to the top four against Everton on Tuesday.

Monday, April 15, 2013
Everton's Marouane Fellaini competes with Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal during the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park in November which ended 1-1. Net photo.

TodayArsenal vs Everton 20:30 SS3

LONDON. Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to hold their nerve as the Gunners look to cement their return to the top four against Everton on Tuesday.Wenger’s side moved up from fifth to third in the Premier League after Saturday’s dramatic 3-1 win over Norwich, but the Arsenal manager knows there is still little margin for error in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.The north Londoners are only one point ahead of both fourth placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and fifth placed Tottenham.Even Everton still harbour legitimate ambitions of finishing in the top four and a win for David Moyes’ men at the Emirates Stadium would move them to within one point of the Gunners.In the circumstances, it would be little surprise if Wenger’s players, who have crumbled under pressure far too often in recent seasons, showed more signs of feeling the heat.But, so far, they have risen to the challenge of recovering from a derby defeat at Tottenham last month which left them seven points behind their local rivals.Since that loss at White Hart Lane, Arsenal have reeled off four successive league wins and Wenger believes they are capable of coping with another tense occasion on Tuesday."It is a question of nerves,” Wenger said. "The win over Norwich was a balance of nerves, quality and intelligence.After taking 10 points from their last four matches, including a 2-0 win over QPR on Saturday, Everton will travel to London in upbeat mood.And Moyes is convinced a first win at Arsenal since 1996 would leave them firmly in the hunt for a top four finish. "I think if we can go and win at Arsenal then I think you might say we’ve got a chance of being involved in the Champions League,” he said.