Lucas Digne says tactical advances and a fast-growing fighting spirit are the twin-drivers behind Everton’s improvement this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team reached double figures for away victories when they defeated Arsenal on Friday.

The win in north London also lifted Everton three points clear of the 49-point tally they recorded last term.

Most relevant of all, completing a first league double over Arsenal since 1985/86 kept Everton firmly in contention for European qualification.

For left-back Digne, the capital success qualified as a perfect and timely response to gaining only one point from a strong display against Tottenham Hotspur seven days earlier.

“We wanted to take the three points and have a good answer after last week,” Digne told evertontv.

“Last week was a positive performance and we were unlucky not to take three points.

“It is a good result against a good team and now we are closer to our goal and have to reach this.

“We have to win every game, it is like a final every game and we have to keep this spirit.

“Tactically we improved a lot [this season] and the spirit changed.

“We are more compact and fighting more and it is a good thing for the future.”

France international Digne was part of an accomplished defensive effort which provided the foundation for Everton to claim a first win at Emirates Stadium in 16 attempts.

The 27-year-old completed twice as many successful tackles (six) as any other player on the field.

He made six recoveries and three clearances and won two aerial duels.

All this from a player who attracts the majority of his plaudits for what he does when he progresses over the halfway line.

On that score, there were four crosses from Digne, in addition to two shots, a figure surpassed by only Arsenal’s midfield pair of Dani Ceballos and Thomas Partey.

Digne is in the top-10 Premier League players for crosses delivered (166) and his six assists put him joint-10th in that category.

Those figures grow more impressive when considering the defender missed seven games injured around the turn of the year and served a one-match suspension back in November.

Everton’s shutout at Arsenal, meanwhile, was a fourth in five Premier League away games.

“The first part of my job is to keep the clean sheet and defend well and after if I can help the team offensively, I will,” said Digne.

“The first thing is to defend well.

“We are working on this and that work is paying off every time.

“The team improved a lot this season and I hope we will reach something at the end.”

Digne was guarded on precisely what Everton can attain this term.

Fifth position is three points away and an additional three points separate Everton from fourth.

Manager Ancelotti’s side own one game in hand on the teams occupying those two positions.

“We are thinking to reach the highest position we can at the end,” added Digne,

“We are not so far and if we keep the good spirit and keep winning we will see what happens.”