LONDON – A slim 1-0 win over Leicester City and a 4-2 quick-fire stoppage-time victory over Aston Villa.

Those are Arsenal’s last two English Premier League games and it showed precisely that the Gunners have the resilience, and sometimes the luck, to win their first league title since 2004.

But manager Mikel Arteta wants more from his players from a tactical point of view, and the Spaniard said on Tuesday that he is happy that Arsenal now have the squad depth that can help the team be more unpredictable.

The league leaders are aiming to open up a five-point lead at the top of the standings when they host Everton on Wednesday.

They have 57 points after 24 matches, two points above Manchester City who have played a game more.

“The fact we have options right now, that we have players coming back from injury, is going to be crucial because players cannot maintain the same level for 10 months, it is just impossible,” said Arteta.

“We need to change and be more unpredictable, and we have those options now.”

A win over Everton would take Arsenal’s tally to 60 points after 25 games, making them just the third Gunners side in history to achieve this.

“That means nothing,” Arteta added, insisting that the title race would not be over, with 13 games more to be played after Wednesday.

“What we have to do is win in front of our crowd (on Wednesday) at full tilt, go to win the game and compete really well against this team.”

Arsenal have lost only three league games this season, including a 1-0 defeat by Everton on Feb 4. Arteta also said his side would aim for a better performance this time against Sean Dyche’s team, but it is not about revenge.

“It is a case of doing things better than we played them a few weeks ago and earning the right to win the game,” he said.

“With Sean, it’s quite clear what he’s done and where the success that they’ve had is coming from. Tomorrow we will prepare the game in a similar way.

“With every manager it’s the same, we have to look at certain matches, what they do so we can get the right tactics to beat them... but as well the same mentality and expectation of what we demand in the game.”

Thomas Partey is unlikely to start against the Toffees after the midfielder came off the bench in their win over Leicester at the weekend, having missed two games due to a lower back injury.

“He has not trained much, he’s only had a session. He was out for a few weeks, and he needs to get the rhythm,” Arteta said.

Everton have failed to score for the 10th Premier League game this season after their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last Saturday.

Dyche’s men, who are 18th in the standings and one point from safety, have scored only 17 goals in 24 league matches – the fewest of any side.

“The team mentality has to be that we’re all allowed to score,” said the Everton boss, urging his midfielders and defenders to help out as well.

“I ask that of them defensively, that clean sheets start from (defending from) the front. It’s only fair to ask it the other way around.

“Players have to take responsibility as a group in making enough chances and taking enough chances.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Garner and Nathan Patterson are all ruled out of this game. REUTERS