After the cancellation of Mesut Ozil’s first-half opener Arsene Wenger’s side restored their lead midway through the second half thanks to a twice-taken penalty by Mikel Arteta and two goals in the space of three minutes by substitute Olivier Giroud.
Though the scoreline was emphatic there was little to choose between the two sides in an even first half during which Ozil put the hosts ahead on seven minutes following a precise through-ball from Santi Cazorla.
Everton equalised after a lung-busting run from Ross Barkely resulted in a Lukaku tap-in after 32 minutes, but the Gunners were back in front when Gareth Barry tripped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the penalty area and Arteta converted from the spot, twice, his first successful attempt having been ruled out for an infringement involving Giroud.
The Frenchman soon made amends, however, finishing off a sweeping move in the 83rd minute involving Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky and then meeting Bacary Sagna's cutback to round off a the scoring and keep his side on course for their first FA Cup triumph in nine years.
The remaining three quarter-finals will take place on Sunday with Sheffield United hosting Charlton Athletic, Sunderland travelling to Hull City, and Manchester City welcoming Wigan Athletic in a repeat of last year's final.
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Gunner for life
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