Arsenal play host to Everton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the Emirates on Saturday lunch time in what is the undoubted tie of the round, and these are the key battles that are likely to decide this fascinating contest ….
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Sylvain Distin v Olivier Giroud
The silky smooth French centre back is enjoying yet another highly impressive campaign at the back for the Toffees, however, in the possible injury-enforced absence of his regular central defensive partner at the back this weekend, Phil Jagielka, the experienced defender will need to once again bring his A-game to north London if Roberto Martinez’s men are to make it through to the semi-finals.
And in particular, Distin will need to keep a close eye on the Gunners front man Giroud who despite having not been quite so prolific in front of goal for the north Londoners in recent weeks, will still represent a major threat though to the Merseyside giants’ chances of progressing in the competition. 
Ross Barkley v Mathieu Flamini
The young England wonderkid could very well be the difference between two sides with seemingly very little to separate them going into this eagerly anticipated last-eight clash, at least on paper that is.
And it is for that reason that the north London club’s vastly experienced manager Arsene Wenger is more than likely to try to keep a close eye on Barkely at all times of this clash, so much so that do not be surprised to see the home team’s former France international close to the attacking starlet every time he picks up possession of the ball.
Romelu Lukaku v Laurent Koscielny
This is set to be one of, if not the, key battle in Saturday’s cup quarter-final, with the giant Belgium international going up against the home side’s outstanding and pacy France international.
For the Merseysiders, they will simply just be relieved to have the on-loan Chelsea attacker back playing again after the nasty-looking ankle injury that Lukaku picked up in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in January.
And with the youngster also having wasted little time getting back in the goals again with his late winner against West Ham United in the Premier League last Saturday at Goodison Park, then the Gunners centre back knows only too well just what an uncomfortable afternoon that both he and his fellow defenders are in store for this weekend.
Gareth Barry v Mesut Ozil
Saturday’s quarter-final provides Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil with a wonderful opportunity with which to prove his growing number of doubters wrong, especially after the playmaker’s costly penalty miss against Bayern Munich in the Uefa Champions League recently.
And even though the brilliant Germany international has been way below his best of late, that relative slump in form cannot last too long, and that is why Everton boss Roberto Martinez will be keen for his experienced England holding midfielder to track Ozil as closely as is possible throughout the 90 minutes in the capital.
And if Barry can restrict the former Real Madrid star, then Everton will have a great chance to make it through to the semi-finals on Saturday.