The Everton centre-half believes the outcome of Tuesday’s encounter with the Gunners at Emirates Stadium will not prove conclusive in the battle for Champions League qualification

Everton defender Slyvain Distin insists the outcome Tuesday’s encounter with Arsenal will not prove decisive in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Toffees travel to north London just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, albeit having played a game more, following a run of four wins in their last five Premier League matches.

David Moyes’ side extended their recent good run with a straightforward 2-0 win over relegation-threatened QPR on Saturday, but the French centre-half believes the three points they collected at Goodison Park will prove no more vital than anything they garner from Emirates Stadium in the final reckoning.

“We have three clean sheets out of the last four games. Tuesday is only as important as today’s game or any of the other 30 we have played. There are no small games, we have to be consistent. We just have the final push to get fourth or fifth place,” he told Everton’s official website.

A deflected Darron Gibson strike and Victor Anichebe’s poacher’s strike, one that denied Distin what would have been only his second goal of the season, secured victory against Harry Redknapp’s strugglers and Distin is desperate for his side to maintain their momentum.

“Three points and a clean sheet; we are happy and we are doing well at the moment. We need to keep pushing to get a place in Europe,” he added.

“There was a great save from the goalkeeper then Vic stole a goal from me, I had to beat him up in the shower!

“The most important is the three points. I want to win games – if I can help (by scoring) then that’s great but it doesn’t bother me.”