Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has warned his side that they will need to be on top form to claim three points against Everton in the Premier League.

Third face sixth at the Emirates Stadium tonight in a match that has huge implications in the congested race to earn a Champions League place.

Wilshere believes that Everton are a team that must be respected but is adamant that the Gunners will do whatever it takes to secure a crucial victory.

He told the club's official website: "Everton are a very good team it's an especially hard game when you go to Goodison Park, but even when they come here you now what you're in for. They've got good players, can hit you on the counter-attack, have a strong midfield and are hard to break down.

"I've liked Leon Osman for years, I think he's a great player, for me, he's a top class player and they'll be dangerous tomorrow in there, especially with Marouane Fellaini as well and Darron Gibson, who's got a great strike on him. The midfield battle is going to be key, and if we can come out of that on top then we feel we can win the game.

"They are four points behind us, so it's massive that we come into it after winning on Saturday. We need to win, we know that, and we'll do whatever it takes to achieve it."

Wilshere is a doubt to start this evening after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that he regrets rushing him back from injury in the 3-1 win over Norwich City on Saturday.