Unai Emery believes Arsenal are on track this season but warned defeat at Everton this weekend would be a serious blow to their top-four hopes.
The Gunners can move into third place in the Premier League if they beat Marco Silva’s side at Goodison Park.
Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey (both groin) and Laurent Koscielny (foot) face late fitness tests to be available and asked if Arsenal were where he wanted them to be at this point in the season, Emery replied: “Yes. Now I think we are OK, but each match gives us information on how we can finish each match and Sunday is the same.
“I am very realistic. We are in a good moment. It depends on Sunday as well, these three points, but now each match is very important for that. If we win, we are third. If we don't win, we can't hold this position.
"But football is each moment to enjoy, to prepare, to work, to play.
“It depends if we are efficient on the pitch. If we are - for 90 minutes - competitive, then I think we can achieve these three points.
"But it's a long way to go and we need to be positive, but also realistic and the reality is that Sunday is a very big challenge and a very big opportunity now. We are going to continue in our way and Sunday is the first.
"I think the players are very, very focused for this match and for our moment.”
