After stuttering in recent weeks, Arsenal’s best and most realistic hope for silverware this season would appear to be in the FA Cup. With a 2-0 deficit to overturn in Munich, and now trailing Chelsea by 4 points, the Gunners could really do with progressing past Everton and making it into the semi-final of the cup.

Everton will also know that they too have a realistic chance of winning the cup, with manager Roberto Martinez looking to repeat the achievement he had with his Wigan side last year and triumph in the competition.

Team News

Arsenal will be without Jack Wilshere for this weekend’s match after the midfielder suffered a hairline fracture in his foot during England’s friendly with Denmark on Wednesday night. The injury looks to have ruled the midfielder out for at least 6-8 weeks.

He will be out for six before he can absorb normal training. His injury will not stop him working on fitness so two weeks after [the first six weeks] he should be competitive. That means the maximum for him to be competitive in a game is eight weeks.

However, the match comes too soon for Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom, with both looking to be about a week away from the first team.

Laurent Koscielny will face a late fitness test to see if he can make the match, after picking up a knock to his hamstring whilst on duty for France in midweek.

If the Frenchman does not make it, Thomas Vermaelen will be able to replace him.

There will also be a late fitness test on Nacho Monreal to see if he can make the team.

Everton Team

Martinez will be aiming to get his hands back on the Cup which he won last year with Wigan, and will realise that his Everton side have a very good chance of capturing their first trophy since 1995.

Everton will most likely play their strongest team on Saturday, with the only notable change being replacing Tim Howard in goal with Cup keeper Joel Robles.

The toffees will also welcome back Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian forward on loan from Chelsea, who is their top scorer so far this season, and is their biggest threat and presence on the pitch. However, England defender Phil Jagielka looks set to miss out after missing Everton and England’s last games through injury.

Predicted Line up

Fabianski; Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Monreal; Arteta, Flamini; Oxlade Chamberlain, Ozil, Cazorla; Sanogo

Both sides will fancy themselves in this fixture, however, Arsenal are under more pressure as they look to end their trophy drought. This game to many fans is more important than the Bayern Munich match, and will hope that Wenger puts his strongest side out.

Latest: