Arsenal vs. Wigan Athletic: FA Cup Fourth Round Showdown at the Emirates
The storied competition of the FA Cup is back in focus as Arsenal prepares to host Wigan Athletic in a highly anticipated fourth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium. Set to kick off on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 4:30 PM UK time, this fixture pits a Premier League giant against a League One side battling for survival, yet carrying the undeniable 'magic of the cup' into North London.
The FA Cup Journey So Far
Arsenal's FA Cup campaign began with a decisive victory over Portsmouth in the third round, largely thanks to a stellar hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli. This win set the stage for their fourth-round encounter, evoking memories of a dramatic semi-final clash against Wigan Athletic in the 2014 edition of the tournament. That memorable encounter saw the Gunners triumph on penalties before going on to lift the trophy against Hull City.
Wigan's Cup Resilience Amidst League Struggles
While Wigan Athletic finds itself in a precarious position in League One, languishing in the relegation zone and having recently sacked manager Ryan Lowe after 11 months at the helm, their FA Cup run has been a beacon of hope. The Latics, winners of the FA Cup in 2013, delivered a significant upset in the previous round by defeating Championship play-off contenders Preston North End at Deepdale. This triumph, however, stands in stark contrast to their recent league form, which has seen them drop to 23rd place with four losses and a draw since their cup success. Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow will be taking charge of the first team on an interim basis, tasked with galvanizing the squad for this monumental challenge.
Managerial Perspectives
Mikel Arteta's Ambitions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement for the tie, emphasizing its significance within the club's rich FA Cup history. "It's an opportunity for the team, again, with another competition, and the history that we have related to that competition, it's amazing," Arteta stated. "We'll play at home again. I'm really excited to recover and go again." His pre-match press conference highlighted the team's eagerness to progress and continue their quest for silverware.
Wigan's Interim Duo on 'Fear'
For Wigan's interim management team, the prospect of facing Arsenal is undoubtedly daunting. Graham Barrow, however, views the inevitable nerves as a positive motivator. "Fear is a positive thing for the players. It's like nerves. You read about top sportsmen, who say you need nerves otherwise you don't care about it," Barrow commented. "You have to learn to deal with it. You can't be that nervous that you're frightened...you need to use it as a motivator." This mentality suggests Wigan will approach the game with a fearless spirit, aiming to embrace the underdog tag.
Team News and Tactical Outlook
Arsenal's Squad Updates
Arsenal's squad is beginning to see key players return. Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a foot injury. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard made impactful returns from the bench against Brentford, having missed the previous fixture against Sunderland. William Saliba was absent from the Brentford match due to illness, and Kai Havertz picked up a knock in the recent win over Sunderland. These updates indicate a squad nearing full strength, with Arteta likely to field a competitive lineup.
Wigan's Unchanged Squad
On the visitors' side, Wigan Athletic has reported no new injury concerns following their recent home defeat to Reading. This suggests they will likely field a settled side, perhaps looking to replicate the defensive solidity and counter-attacking threat that saw them overcome Preston.
Tactical Considerations
Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme, offers a detailed tactical insight into Wigan's approach. He notes that former manager Ryan Lowe experimented with various formations in his final games, making it difficult to predict Wigan's shape. However, Clarke highlights Wigan's tendency to operate with a dynamic right-hand side, with Scottish winger Fraser Murray being a key influencer, delivering a significant number of crosses. Wigan has historically been a low-possession team, averaging just 44.6% of the ball in League One. Their FA Cup success against Preston saw this figure drop to a mere 30.5%, indicating they are content to cede possession and focus on catching opponents on the break. While they possess technical players like former Arsenal academy star Matt Smith, their general approach is to sit deep and exploit counter-attacking opportunities.
Historical Encounters and FA Cup Pedigree
This fixture marks the first meeting between Arsenal and Wigan in the FA Cup since that memorable 2014 semi-final. Historically, Wigan has struggled away from home against Arsenal, losing 10 of their 11 away encounters across all competitions. Their solitary away victory came in April 2012 in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez.
Arsenal is aiming to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since their triumphant 2019/20 campaign. This stage has proven a hurdle in recent years, with defeats to Southampton and Manchester City in the previous seasons.
Conversely, Wigan has built an impressive away record in the FA Cup, winning their last six matches on the road and conceding only once. This run echoes their successful streak from January 2013 to March 2014, showcasing their capability to perform away from home in the competition.
As the Emirates Stadium prepares to host this intriguing FA Cup fourth-round tie, all eyes will be on whether Arsenal can navigate the challenge posed by a resilient Wigan Athletic side, or if the Latics can continue their cup fairytale with another giant-killing act.