Wigan Athletic is set to face Arsenal for the first time in over ten years during their fourth round FA Cup tie on Sunday afternoon. The last encounter took place in 2014, when Arsenal managed to secure a narrow victory in a semi-final at Wembley Stadium after a tense penalty shootout. Since then, Wigan has experienced a decline, now competing in League One and currently battling against relegation. Their recent six-match winless streak led to the departure of manager Ryan Lowe, and interim coaches Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow are stepping in to stabilize the struggling squad.
As Wigan fights to avoid dropping further down the league standings, this match against Arsenal provides a meaningful distraction from their relegation concerns. The Gunners, in contrast, will look to capitalize on their opponent’s misfortunes as they aim to continue their journey toward what becomes an ambitious pursuit of multiple trophies this season. Mikel Arteta’s squad, eager to bounce back after a disappointing draw against Brentford, is favored to thrive against a Wigan side that is currently reeling.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. GMT at Emirates Stadium in London. Referee Tim Robinson will officiate the encounter, and fans can catch the action live through various channels, including TNT Sports in the UK and ESPN in the United States.
Arsenal’s team will likely undergo significant changes from that which faced Brentford, with notable absences due to injuries including Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz. Although Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka returned from injury recently, starting positions are uncertain. Wigan, having recently appointed interim managers, will likely field a similar lineup from their last defeat to Reading, but their hopes hinge on overcoming the odds.
The predicted line-up for Arsenal suggests depth and talent that should trouble Wigan, especially considering the latter’s poor form in recent matches, which has seen them only achieve four wins from the last 15 games. With Arsenal having strong attacking options, they are anticipated to dominate the match, and predictions point to a potential high-scoring win for the Premier League side.
This FA Cup clash provides an opportunity for both teams: for Arsenal to reinforce their trophy aspirations, and for Wigan to seize a moment of potential redemption amid their struggles. As anticipation builds ahead of the match, both players and fans hope for an exciting encounter filled with competitive spirit.