The prospect of silverware draws ever closer for
success-starved Arsenal as the London club welcome Everton in the FA Cup
quarter-finals.
It is getting on for nine years since Arsene Wenger's men
lifted a trophy and, with Arsenal's Premier League title hopes hanging by a
thread, a repeat of their 2005 FA Cup triumph looks to be the most likely route
to glory.
But Everton's wait has been even longer after the
much-lauded David Moyes' era passed without a major honour, although 2009 did
bring a Wembley trip that ended in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the final of this
competition.
While Moyes toiled fruitlessly to add to Everton's trophy
collection, successor Roberto Martinez led Wigan Athletic to FA Cup victory
with a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City last May.
The Spaniard can carve out a unique piece of history if
he can repeat the feat with Everton as he will become the first manager to win
back-to-back FA Cups with different clubs.
But he must mastermind a rare Everton win on Arsenal's
home soil if he is to continue the Merseysiders' progress without the need for
a replay.
Everton have not won at Arsenal in their last 19 visits
in all competitions, but they have managed draws in the last two trips.
Martinez's personal recollections of facing Wenger's men
in their own back yard will not fill him with much confidence, having seen
Wigan relegated at the Emirates Stadium only three days after that famous
Wembley win against City.
The hosts' record at this stage of the competition is
almost perfect, with Arsenal having won 10 of their 11 FA Cup last-eight ties,
the only defeat coming at the last attempt in 2011, when Manchester United won
2-0.
Everton fell at this hurdle last season when Wigan scored
three times in as many first-half minutes to claim a 3-0 victory at Goodison
Park.
Arsenal will be looking for a response to last Saturday's
1-0 loss at Stoke City and Martinez is wary of the threat the hosts will pose.
"There's never a good or bad time to face a top
team," he said.
"We admire them immensely, they had a disappointing
result at the weekend but that doesn't change anything.
"They're as good as anyone when they get on the ball
and we'll have to be at our best, but if you want to win a competition like the
FA Cup you have to find a way to be effective against a team like
Arsenal."
Martinez's compatriot Joel Robles has started every round
in goal for Everton in their run to the last eight, replacing regular first
choice Tim Howard, but Martinez refused to be drawn on whether that trend would
continue on Saturday.
"When you've got a strong squad you have huge belief
in every member," he said.
"Tim Howard has been outstanding this season, Joel
is growing and benefiting from working with Tim and both keepers have been
reliable with very good performances.
"The whole squad is always needed. The whole squad
is ready, it's a glamorous tie and we're looking forward to it."
Defender Phil Jagielka is likely to miss out with a
hamstring injury, while Antolin Alcaraz (groin) is back after a five-week
absence.
Jack Wilshere suffered a hairline fracture in his foot
after taking a heavy blow in England's 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday and is
set for six weeks out.
Fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has not played this
year, remains sidelined with a thigh injury.
Culled from Soccerway
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