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Arsenal take on Everton in the quarter finals of the FA Cup at the Emirates in what promises to be an absolute lip smacking encounter. Both the sides have met each other once in this season, in the Premier league, an entertaining game which ended one goal a piece. The Gunners come into this encounter on the back of a shock 0-1 reversal at the hands of Stoke City at the Britannia which almost means they have now blown up their title aspirations. Everton however needed a late goal from Romelu Lukaku to see of West Ham at Goodison Park in a tight affair.
So what will be Arsenal’s best possible line up against the Blues from Merseyside? We here at Soccersouls have the answer.
Goalkeeping
Fabianski is expected to start in goal for the Arsenal as the Pole will have a job cut out on his hands to keep a dazzling Everton side at bay. Fabianski has done a decent job whenever called upon this season a testament to which was the game against Liverpool in the previous round of the FA cup. Much of Arsenal’s chances of winning will depend on how he deals with the pressure of making important saves throughout the course of ninety minutes.
Defence
Bacary Sagna will start in the right back slot while Kieran Gibbs should man the opposite flank. Both the full backs need to be way of their defensive discipline and should look to move forward putting pressure on the Everton wingers. The likes of Lukaku, Barkley and Naismith with their build up play will cause headaches for the central defence as the French-German pair of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker will be taking their respective places in the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Kim Kallstrom
This is where it gets tricky for Arsene Wenger. The Mirror have reported that Arsenal loan signing Kim Kallstrom has an outside chance of making the squad to face Everton in Saturday’s FA Cup tie after telling the Swedish FA’s medical staff he is “close to being fit.” But in any case we believe he will make it as far as the bench and not the starting lineup.
Last night’s friendly match against England and Denmark saw Jack Wilshere caught on the top of the foot in a challenge with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, however talking to the press after the game the midfielder revealed that he is fine.
”I’m fine. It’s a bit sore but it’s only a bruise. I’ve had a scan already and it showed just a bruise, so I’ll be alright.”
Expect Wilshere to start in the heart of the midfield alongside either of Arteta or Flamini as the Gunners will look to combat Everton’s deep lying runs and the Merseysiders ability to play the ball out from the back. Mesut Ozil hasn’t been anywhere near his form which made him such a danger man at Real Madrid, but these are the kind of games where the German can invigorate a moment of pure magic. Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be playing on the wings for the home side looking to dart inside and creating spaces for the full backs to overlap and deliver crosses in the middle.
Lukas Podolski who started against against Stoke City last week, wasn’t in his very best and having played for Germany last night, expect the striker to start from the bench.
Strike force
Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the front line on his own while Yaya Sanogo is also in contention for a starting eleven place. Giroud looks isolated if the Arsenal midfield isn’t having their day but the experienced Frenchman will be using his holding ability up front will look to bring his team mates into play from wider positions. Any sort of chances should be however taken to full effect if Arsenal are to win and progress in England’s oldest club competition.
