The training ground method that helped Everton cope with late defensive change against Arsenal

Kurt Zouma led the field training method, allowing Everton to face his late defensive change against Arsenal.

The Blues managed to clinch a convincing 1-0 win over the Gunners on Sunday with a strike from Phil Jagielka in the first half, taking advantage of the defensive defense of the visitors in their own camp to score.

However, the captain of the club was not supposed to start the match.

When both teams were announced, it was obvious that Marco Silva had chosen Michael Keane to start, but the central back was forced to retire with a virus shortly before the kickoff, giving to Jagielka a chance to start.

But while some defenses may have struggled to cope with such a late change, Zouma believes that Silva's training methods helped his opponent handle it easily.

"To be honest, with the players we have here, no, it's not difficult," Zouma told ECHO.

"During training, the manager likes to mix the players throughout the session, so we understand each other, we know each other, every day of training we see that and it is not a problem.

"To be honest with Jags, it was my first match with him, and for me it was really nice.

"He uses his experience to advise me, Michael [Keane] and [Yerry] Mina, so we have to use that. "

In general, the form of Everton has improved considerably since a 17-day break in February, but the Blues have particularly intensified in defense.

The Silva team has kept five white sheets in the last six games. The only three goals conceded were conceded in a terrible half against Newcastle in March.

And Zouma revealed what the manager had said to his team during the break – and how the fans had been decisive for the Blues to rebuild their self-confidence in recent weeks.

The defender added, "He told us to have fun and play with confidence.

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"We have the quality we have shown in the field, do not be scared or be too lazy, give 100%, be together, be compact, be in a team – that's what the public wants to see.

"We know that they are always behind us and they are very noisy! You can always hear them in the field.

"They give us a lot of power, and we hope to keep that up until the end of the season."

After achieving consistently strong performance this term on loan, many requests have been made for Everton to make the Zouma loan transfer permanent during the summer.

However, the defender is still not thinking about his long-term future.

He remarked, "By the minute, I'm just having fun here, playing week after week and improving on it.

"I am very happy and I will have time to think about it."