Declan Rice insists Arsenal still have plenty to play for ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton, even with their Premier League title hopes being all but over.

Arsenal remain 12 points behind Liverpool in the table following the midweek fixtures.

After goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka – who made his return from injury after 101 days out – fired Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday, Liverpool responded with a 1-0 derby win over Everton.

While they appear destined to finish second in the league for a third straight season, Mikel Arteta's team still harbour hopes of European glory.

They host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday, and Rice says maintaining positive momentum ahead of that match is crucial.

"Until the season's over, we need to have full belief as a group, as a team, as a fanbase, that we can still achieve great things," Rice told Arsenal's website. 

"We can only focus on what we can focus on and that is winning our remaining games. We also have an amazing chance to create history in terms of being the first Arsenal team to lift the Champions League.

"I think that in itself is driving us, it's pushing us, the coaches are pushing that demand on us, as well as the Premier League. 

"We can go down in the history books at this club and we have been presented with a lovely chance against Real Madrid, one of the best teams in the world. So, yes, it's exciting times.

"It's been tough this year, but there's still some positivity that can come out of it. So, stick with us, keep believing and I think good things are going to happen for this club."

Arsenal suffered another injury blow against Fulham, though, with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes limping off during the first half.

He is now highly unlikely to feature against Everton, who were beaten by a Diogo Jota goal in Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Boss David Moyes chose to remain upbeat after that match, saying: "Liverpool were the better team and that's why they're top of the league, but we showed great resilience. 

"We have been on a great run, the players have been doing brilliantly. It's our first defeat in 10 games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Everton – Beto

Beto arguably should have gotten on the scoresheet at Liverpool, having one strike disallowed for a marginal offside call then hitting the post when clean through on goal.

Only Virgil van Dijk matched Beto's tally of 16 duels contested in that match, seven of which were successful.

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

Saka wasted no time in making an impact following his return from injury, scoring Arsenal's second goal in their midweek victory over Fulham.

The England star has now scored and assisted 10 or more goals across all competitions in each of the last three seasons, becoming the first Arsenal player to do so in three straight campaigns since Alexis Sanchez between 2014-15 and 2016-17.

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

After winning four of their five league games against Arsenal between December 2020 and February 2023, Everton are now winless in their last four against the Gunners (one draw, three defeats).

The reverse fixture between these sides, played in December, ended 0-0. Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in both meetings with Everton in a league season since 2011-12, while they have not failed to score in both against the Toffees since 1912-13.

In all competitions, Arsenal have won just three of their last 26 away games on Merseyside against Everton and Liverpool (10 draws, 13 defeats); they had won six of their previous seven visits before this run.

Everton, meanwhile, have lost just two of their last 13 Premier League matches at Goodison Park (four wins, seven draws), drawing each of their last three. 

However, only Liverpool (17 games) are currently on a longer unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League than Arsenal (10 games). 

Since the start of 2024, the Gunners have picked up more away points in the competition than any other side (52), and have also conceded the fewest goals on their travels (16). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 20.8%

Arsenal – 53.2%

Draw – 26%