Everton face Arsenal this weekend in a match that will intensify the race for 4th place.

The reverse fixture of this game saw Arsenal and Everton share the points. An 80th minute goal from record breaking signing Mesut Ozil wasn’t enough for the Gunner, as they conceded an equalizer minutes later.

With Everton hitting superb form as of late – winning 5 of their last 6 Premier League games – it could be very difficult for Arsenal to gain all 3 points on Sunday especially with all their injury concerns. However, a returning Aaron Ramsey could boost the squad’s and fan’s morale coming into the crucial final games of the season.

Arsenal will be without regular starters Gibbs and Koscielny as well as long-term injuries Walcott, Ozil and Wilshere. Despite this, a returning Aaron Ramsey could take away attention from Arsenal’s injury problems. The Welshman had 8 league goals before his thigh injury in December which has left him out ever since. It seems unlikely that Ramsey will start, however an appearance of some sort this game-week is indefinite. Nevertheless, his presence will certainly lift the squad on or off the pitch.

Everton’s main injury concerns are that of Captain Phil Jagielka (hamstring) and Steven Pienaar (knee). Although the Merseyside club will be without their rock in defence - a key player in their immense form this season – youngster John Stones will replace his fellow countryman. The Englishmen has made 9 Premier League starts this season and so Sunday’s match shouldn’t faze him.

Two players that will be under the spotlight in the weekend's match are Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Everton's Romelu Lukaku. Giroud has been at the receiving end of recent criticism from ‘Gooners’ despite scoring against Swansea last week. The Frenchman has been criticized for his lack of movement, runs, and dribbling, leaving Arsenal fans highly frustrated. If he can bag a goal this weekend he will hopefully be able to silence his critics. On-loan striker Lukaku similarly has been under the attention of the media as he entered a phase in which he scored 1 goal in 9 games before picking up an injury. Since returning he has found his feet again and has scored 3 in his last 5 matches. The Belgian could definitely cause problems for a substandard Arsenal defence tomorrow if given the chance.

Arsenal’s trip to Everton will be their last game against any top 7 teams this season which means a win should see them grasp a top 4 spot for the 17th year in a row. Yet, should things get messy, Wenger’s men could see their season collapse in front of them once again. Everton on the other hand look on the up and no one would have thought that manager Roberto Martinez would live up to his ambition of a top 4 spot in his first year in charge. The Toffees sit 4 points behind Wenger's men and have a game in hand making the game all the more crucial. Everton haven't beaten Arsenal in 2 attempts this year, will it be 3rd time lucky for Martinez and Everton?

Prediction: Everton 1 – 2 Arsenal

Predicted Arsenal Line-up:

Szczesny

Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (C), Monreal

Flamini, Rosicky,

Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski,

Giroud