Arsenal face Wigan in the FA Cup at the Emirates this afternoon, and this is the team selected by Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal possesses the squad depth and quality required to progress confidently in this competition. However, they will also be mindful of the unpredictable nature of cup football, where unexpected results are far from uncommon. Avoiding complacency will be essential if they are to maintain momentum and continue their pursuit of silverware.
Wigan Seeking an Upset
Wigan’s domestic season has been challenging, yet their presence at this stage of the FA Cup demonstrates their ability to compete in knockout football. They approach this encounter with little to lose and will likely view it as an opportunity to produce an inspired performance. Such fixtures often bring renewed focus and determination, particularly for sides seeking to overturn expectations.
Their recent record does not inspire confidence, having lost each of their last four matches and secured only one victory in their previous nine outings. Nevertheless, that solitary win came in the FA Cup, underlining their capacity to raise their level in this competition. The prospect of facing top-level opposition could serve as additional motivation.
Arsenal’s Focus on Progress
For Arsenal, the objective is clear. As they edge closer to potentially securing their first trophies of the season, ensuring there are no setbacks in this tie will be paramount. The Gunners are under greater pressure to deliver, yet they also have the advantage of home support and superior form.
If they approach the contest with the necessary intensity and professionalism, they should have the quality to avoid any surprises and advance safely to the next round.
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Good to see Lewis-Skelly in midfield.
GB,
I agree with you. At left back he doesn’t look convincing. Lets see what he looks like in his preferred position.
Same here. This may just be the secret weapon for our completing the season as champions. Trust the squad. COYG
He finally got his chance in midfield after Merino and Havertz got injured
💯 happy to see MLS in midfield too. Hope we make quick work of Wigan, so we don’t have to use some players from the bench
I shall add to the chorus! Excited to see MLS given the chance to play the Rice role.
I wouldn’t judge MLS too much on this performance as its been forever since hes played there, hope he has a good game
We have seen the best of him when inverted into the midfield role. He will have defenders behind him, license to do the Rice drive at them thing. I think he has the forward pass, off ball mobility and positiinung, clean tackle, pace and sidestep to play left and right 8 very consistently.
If this comes off in solid performance today all being considered with time out, a Rice understudy that is more closer to Rice than Merino.
Bit disappointed that Dowman isn’t in the squad having seen him in training. But it’s probably a bit early for him.
Am I the one really worried about Raya? In the very last action at Brentford he seemed to injury himself very badly. And now not even in the squad.
Reporters would have asked Arteta if there were suspicion that he got injured so maybe a bad knock just like Odegaard.
Or I’m ahead of the game.
Good lineup, let’s go. The boys will triumph today. Because our midlefied has been affected by injuries, the management should consider recalling back veira or Nwaneri from loan to add some bites and strength
For some, this performance matters; Jesus, Eze, and MLS in the midfield.
Running around and dropping deep is not enough for Jesus, he needs to show some directness and sharpness in his attack.
Eze needs to step up, really step up. He received a king’s welcome, but has delivered a begger’s performance this year.
MLS fets and opportunity in midfield, so he needs to show he can impact and influence positively from the midfield.
Any sub par performance should see them regulated to the bench, they have to capitalize on these opportunities when they get them.
Eze has 2 assists tonight
Win and no injuries please. A calm controlled 2-0 is enough. Apart from Merino we don’t have any long term injuries with Dowman return and Havert due to return in 2 weeks time. We need all the bodies for a exhausting end to the season especially if we go deep in all 4 competitions.
Interesting team. Lets see it blow Wigan away.
wigan as a club had their day in the sunshine… but that was long ago. Truth is Wigan Athletic is better situated for rugby league or rugby union. Or back in the day they had Wigan Pier where we’d used to attend for an excursion into Rare Groove 70s Soul & dance music. Let’s be honest we all expect the win.
Basically they should be 2-0 down by the end of this first half. Martinelli to get a brace.
Are you a northern soul man?
@SueP
My friends where curious – back in the day. But Id been up there when that genre was a thing. But iv eclectic taste in music. 🙂
Yes man! Lets not take the foot off please
Hoping for a hat full as Wigan aren’t showing much resistance so far 2-0
Owen Goal has scored again!
Missed the warm up, Calafiori out?
Got injured in warm up
We love you Arsenal we do
What a ball from Norgaard!!! Eze too with the first 2
Arteta won’t like it Norgard is passing the ball forward🤣
Match wrapped in 30min, job done on to the next opponent.
We are wasting talent on the bench.
Arteta needs to find how to fit Norgaard into the midfield…..maybe play him and Zubi then push Rice further foward on freehold 10 as we wait for Harvertz…..
This could just help us push over the line!!!
Saka given run out in the Ode role. It’s going okay.
Each player is different, bring different things to the same position and role. Ode brings smart press and passing that Saka can’t match, if anything Saka a deeper 8 than Ode, however, Saka brings a stronger dribble and carry than Ode.
Nelly plays left forward much differently than Racoon, more off ball runs, pace and directness, for all the criticism of Eze, he would probably much rather play with Nelly in front of him.
Calafiori got injured again. Arsenal should try to sell him in the summer, because of his unreliability
Eze produced two nice through balls, but he would likely not be able to do it against the defenses of the EPL teams. He also got robbed twice by League One players
Nice skills from Jesus, Martinelli and Madueke
I agree with you on Eze who did get well deserved assists but also was – as you put it – robbed easily
I think it would be great if the FA and EFL cup would consider increasing the number of substitutes (reserves on the bench) to 15 like the UCL. This would give more opportunities to the academy players. My bet is if Arteta had some academy players on the bench, now would be the perfect time to bring them in. Its a shame getting injuries to first team players (Calafiori) for example in such matches. Again I would have given players like Rice, Zubi, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel a day off, there’s just no need for them in these kind of games honestly.
Love that Eze has 2 assists
The way we are having our injuries, it seems we need 3 players on each position
A message for Reggie
You must be pleased with the choice of MOTM
I am pleased for Norgard, yes, he was top notch today. Pity we do not use him.
IMO if Ode is not fit, on form or available, Norgy at 6 and Zooby at right 8 has all the makings of working brilliantly.
In terms of impact on others, Rice would be completely free to drive and attack. More importantly, Zooby’s skill set of such quality receiving and distributing could work very well further forward in and amongst the low block rather than standing off it.
Do it MA – Norgy 6 Rice and Zooby the two 8’s.