Everton will visit the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal attempt to reach the semifinals of the FA Cup. After a rocky few weeks, the team will face a stern test from an Everton team that is in solid form leading into the match.
Arsenal´s season is at the make or break stage as losses to Stoke City and Bayern Munich have put the club on the verge of slipping out of the Champions League and the Premier League title race. Manager Arsene Wenger has promised to continue to fight on all fronts, but the Frenchman was eager to affirm this week that the FA Cup is a fantastic chance to win a trophy.
The Gunners are 10 time winners of the famed competition but have not lifted the Cup since 2004, adding further woe to the 8-year trophy drought. Arsenal has faced a tough path getting to this stage, seeing off North London rivals Tottenham, and then downing Coventry and Liverpool. Everton will provide a fresh challenge as the Merseyside club is thriving in the Premier League this season and is one of the surprise packages of the campaign.
However, Wenger will know that at home Arsenal´s destiny is in the hands of the players, although the six week injury to Jack Wilshere will hamper the manager´s midfield options. Everton tactician Roberto Martinez has his own injury problems with lynchpin defender Phil Jagielka out with a hamstring injury.
Whether a strong Arsenal team will be named is another matter, with the second leg of the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich next week. However, with the FA Cup representing a chance at a long awaited trophy, expect the Gunners to come out all guns blazing.