Arbilla: We haven't eased off, we're enjoying a tremendous second half of the campaign

SD Eibar defender Anaitz Arbilla has denied suggestions that the team has eased off in recent games and insisted that, "we're enjoying a tremendous second half of the campaign".

The Navarran-born wing-back, who on Saturday comes up against the club he spent the last two seasons at, stated that losing at home to Real Madrid was a result which could have expected and that the clash against Osasuna, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate, "saw us face a team for whom it was a do-or-die game".

"We're enjoying a tremendous second half of the campaign, we're in good form and are keen to make the most of these good vibes. It's a key match in which three very important points are up for stake. There aren't many games to go and we've all got our hopes. There are 11 must-win games left and we're just a few points away from being able to dream of Europe, but it'll be tough because there are a lot of sides who share these same aspirations. We know that we're a strong side at home and we're going to try to keep that up".

In reference to Saturday's clash, Arbilla suggested that it'll be a "tough" game. "Espanyol have got better as the season has gone on and they're enjoying a purple patch. They come into this one on a good run of form and they know their system inside out".

The Eibar full-back spoke of his expectations that Espanyol will "sit back and break on the counter". "It'll be tough but we'll be looking to enforce our intensity and tempo, play the good football that we usually do at home and leave our mark on the game".

Arbilla admitted that, on a personal level, the encounter will be "special" after he "had two really great years and left friends behind there".