Defenders:
Bacary Sagna should start in the right back slot while Kieran Gibbs will man the left back spot for Arsenal as he looks to continue his rich vein of form. Centre back Laurent Koscielny, will in all probability miss out but Wenger confirmed that the Frenchman may be available for the trip to Wembley against Championship side Wigan next weekend in the semi finals of the FA Cup following his calf problem. This means Belgian Thomas Vermaelen will continue playing alongside Per Mertesacker.
Midfield:
Arsene Wenger welcomes back Aaron Ramsey but he must decide whether to hand in an immediate start to the Welshman, who returns to the squad for the first time since Boxing Day after recuperating from a niggling thigh injury. If Ramey makes the bench then the onus would be on Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini to act as the double pivot for Arsene Wenger’s side on the pitch. Tomas Rosicky should play as the creator in the number ten role with Santi Cazorla pulling the strings on the left. However Arsenal’s greatest advantage would be the sheer pace of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the right against Everton’s left wing back Leighton Baines.
However, in all possibility there are every chances that Wenger might opt for Podolski to add to Arsenal’s goal threat and sack either of Rosicky and Oxlade Chamberlain and given the need to press the West Ham midfielders, Rosicky might get the nod ahead of OX with the English man along with Ramsey might get the final 20 minutes of the game to impress.