JAKARTA - Everton coach Rafa Benitez has defended his team in the midst of heavy pressure without a win in the last eight matches in the English Premier League. He said the decline in the performance of his foster children was not due to a lack of commitment.

However, Benitez, asked the Everton players to remain united and work hand in hand to face the remaining matches. A 1-4 defeat on Wednesday (1/12) by local rivals, Liverpool, made Everton's list of defeats even longer to three in a row. This was also the sixth defeat in Everton's last seven games to add to the pressure for Benitez.

Everton are currently slumped in the order of 14 English Premier League standings. The Spanish coach is predicted to be the next top team coach to be fired. Although the 61-year-old man suggested his club improve the quality of the squad in the transfer window in January 2022 to contain the slump.

"Now is the time we all got together, entering January in the best position we can. You can complain about our mistakes, quality, or things like that, but not a commitment. We have to work very hard," said Benitez told Reuters on Saturday (4/12). "Why am I still positive? Because we did it at the start. You can't be a bad or good coach in one week."

Everton will face a tough test against fifth-placed Arsenal on Monday (6/12). Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are trying to forget the 2-3 defeat to Manchester United in the middle of last week.

Everton defender Yerry Mina, who has been sidelined since October with a thigh muscle injury, and forward Salomon Rondon are available. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin still has two weeks to go before he can play after suffering a quadriceps problem.