Arsenal Host Wigan Athletic in FA Cup Fourth Round Showdown
The Emirates Stadium is set to buzz with FA Cup anticipation as Arsenal welcome League One side Wigan Athletic for a captivating fourth-round tie on Sunday afternoon. With a rich history in the competition, the Gunners will be keen to advance and continue their pursuit of silverware, while Wigan arrive with a renewed sense of purpose after a giant-killing act in the previous round.
The Magic of the Cup: Wigan's Journey
While Wigan Athletic find themselves in a challenging position in League One, currently residing in the relegation zone, their FA Cup journey has provided a much-needed tonic. The Latics, winners of the competition in 2013, have already caused a significant upset by knocking out Championship outfit Preston North End at Deepdale in the third round. This victory, a 1-0 triumph sealed before their recent league struggles intensified, sets them up for a stern test against Mikel Arteta's men.
Wigan's league form has been a concern, with their last league win preceding the Preston tie. Since then, they have endured a difficult spell, leading to the recent dismissal of manager Ryan Lowe after 11 months in charge. Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow will now take the reins on an interim basis, tasked with galvanising the squad for this high-profile fixture. Barrow has spoken of the importance of managing nerves, suggesting that a degree of apprehension can be a positive motivator for players on such a big stage.
Arteta's Perspective: Embracing the FA Cup
Mikel Arteta views the FA Cup as a significant opportunity for his Arsenal side. "It's an opportunity for the team, again, with another competition, and the history that we have related to that competition, it's amazing," the Arsenal manager stated in his pre-match press conference. "We'll play at home again. I'm really excited to recover and go again." The Spaniard's words underscore the club's historical connection with the FA Cup and his desire to add to that legacy.
Team News: Key Absences and Potential Returns
Arsenal have been managing a few injury concerns. Mikel Merino remains sidelined due to a foot injury. However, there is positive news regarding Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who both featured from the bench against Brentford after missing the previous match against Sunderland. William Saliba was absent against Brentford due to illness, and Kai Havertz picked up a knock in the recent victory over Sunderland. The availability of these key players will be crucial for Arteta as he finalises his starting lineup.
For Wigan Athletic, the news is more positive on the injury front, with no new concerns reported following their recent home defeat to Reading. This means the interim management team will likely have a full squad to choose from as they prepare to face the Gunners.
Talking Tactics: Unpacking the Potential Matchups
Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme, offers insightful tactical observations. He notes that Wigan's former manager, Ryan Lowe, had been experimenting with different formations in his final matches, making it difficult to predict their shape. While a 3-1-4-2 was a common setup, recent games saw shifts to 4-3-3 and 4-4-2.
Clarke highlights Wigan's tendency to play with a slightly lopsided approach, often focusing their attacking efforts down the dynamic right-hand side. Scottish winger Fraser Murray is identified as an influential figure in this regard, boasting an impressive 113 crosses in open play this season, the second-highest in League One. Wigan have historically been a low-possession team, averaging just 44.6% of the ball in the league. This figure dropped even lower to 30.5% in their impressive FA Cup win against Preston, suggesting Arsenal can expect to dominate possession.
Despite their possession stats, Wigan possess technical players capable of neat passing. Former Arsenal academy star Matt Smith, who was part of the 2020 FA Cup-winning squad, is a notable example. However, their general approach involves sitting behind the ball and looking to exploit teams on the counter-attack. This tactical setup means Arsenal will need to be patient and clinical in their build-up play to break down a potentially deep-lying Wigan defence.
Historical Encounters: A Cup Rivalry Renewed
This fixture carries significant FA Cup history. The last time Arsenal and Wigan met in the competition was the dramatic 2013/14 semi-final, where Arsenal emerged victorious after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Current boss Mikel Arteta famously scored in that shootout.
Historically, Wigan have struggled away from home against Arsenal, losing 10 of their 11 encounters across all competitions. Their sole away victory came in April 2012 in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez.
For Arsenal, reaching the FA Cup fifth round is a key objective. They are aiming to achieve this for the first time since their triumphant 2019/20 campaign. This is only their third tie at this stage since then, having been eliminated by Southampton and Manchester City in previous seasons.
Wigan, however, have a formidable recent record in the FA Cup away from home, having won their last six matches and conceding only one goal during this impressive run. This streak echoes their previous success between January 2013 and March 2014, where they secured seven consecutive away wins in the competition. This statistic underscores that Wigan are not to be underestimated when it comes to cup ties on the road.
As the teams prepare to lock horns, the stage is set for another chapter in FA Cup history. Arsenal will be heavily fancied to progress on home soil, but Wigan's cup pedigree and recent away form suggest they possess the capability to cause an upset. The magic of the FA Cup, as always, promises an intriguing contest.
