Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic: Pre-Match Insights and Analysis

Casey Halston

Published: February 15, 2026 11:04 AM ET

Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic: Pre-Match Insights and Analysis

Arsenal will host Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round this Sunday at 4:30 PM (UK time). Last month, Arsenal reached this stage by defeating Portsmouth, thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli. The last encounter between these teams occurred in the semi-finals of the 2014 FA Cup, where Arsenal triumphed in a penalty shootout.

Wigan Athletic’s Current Form

Currently, Wigan finds itself in the League One relegation zone. Despite this, they have had a surprising FA Cup run. In the previous round, Wigan shocked Preston North End with a 1-0 victory, which secured their spot against Arsenal. However, Wigan’s league form has been poor, resulting in four losses and one draw since that win, leading to the dismissal of their manager Ryan Lowe.

Managerial Insights

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta expressed enthusiasm over the opportunity to compete in the FA Cup. He remarked on the team’s history with the tournament and their home advantage. On the Wigan side, interim manager Graham Barrow emphasized using nerves as motivation for his players.

Team News and Player Updates

Arsenal: Mikel Merino is out with a foot injury. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have returned from injury, while William Saliba missed training due to illness. Kai Havertz sustained a minor injury last weekend.
Wigan: The team reported no injuries after a recent 2-1 loss to Reading.

Tactical Outlook

Recent tactical changes by Wigan under Lowe saw various formations, including 3-1-4-2 and 4-3-3. They rely heavily on their right side, featuring Fraser Murray, who has made 113 crosses in the league. Wigan has averaged only 44.6% possession in League One this season.

Historical Context and Match Statistics

This match will mark the first meeting between Arsenal and Wigan since the 2013/14 FA Cup semi-final.
Wigan has won only once in their last 11 away matches against Arsenal.
Arsenal is seeking to progress to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
Wigan has currently won their last six away matches in the FA Cup.

Officials for the Match

The match will be officiated by Tim Robinson, with Ian Hussin and Marc Perry as assistants. Andrew Madley will serve as the fourth official. Notably, there will be no VAR for this match.

Conclusion

As Arsenal prepares for their FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic, both teams have much at stake. Arsenal aims to continue their cup journey, while Wigan looks to capitalize on their underdog momentum. Fans can look forward to an exciting match this Sunday.