Arsenal vs. Wigan: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

North London braces for a classic FA Cup fourth-round collision on Sunday as Arsenal welcome fallen giants Wigan Athletic to the Emirates, their first meeting since the dramatic 2014 Wembley semi-final that the Gunners captured on penalties en route to ending their trophy drought.

A decade on, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Wigan, once Premier League mainstays and FA Cup winners, languish 22nd in League One and could slide into the fourth tier if results continue to sour. A six-match winless streak cost manager Ryan Lowe his job this month, leaving interim duo Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow to halt a run of four consecutive defeats. Their first attempt fell short—a 2-1 mid-week loss to Reading—so a trip to face Mikel Arteta’s star-studded squad arrives as both a daunting challenge and a welcome diversion from relegation worries.

Arsenal, stung by a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday that dented their Premier League title momentum, view the cup tie as an ideal palate cleanser. Arteta is expected to rotate heavily, preserving legs for a congested schedule that still harbours ambitions of an unprecedented quadruple. Kepa Arrizabalaga should deputise in goal, while Ben White, Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Jesus are tipped to rejoin the XI. Teenage midfielder Max Dowman is sidelined along with Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz; William Saliba remains questionable after illness, and star creators Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka will likely remain among the substitutes after cameo returns at the Gtech.

Wigan’s injury list is equally problematic. James Carragher—nephew of Liverpool legend Jamie—has sat out recent fixtures and remains doubtful, while Luke Robinson, Baba Adeeko and Harry McHugh are ruled out. Barrow and Whelan are set to stick close to the side that faced Reading, relying on 19-year-old goalkeeper Sam Tickle and top-scorer Josh Taylor for inspiration.

Form and pedigree point one way: Arsenal have scored 11 goals in their last three FA Cup ties at the Emirates, including a 4-1 dismissal of Portsmouth in round three, and possess the squad depth to maintain intensity without key starters. Wigan, winless in 11 of their last 15 in all competitions, must hope cup magic trumps league misery.

Expect a fast start from the hosts, a spirited but outgunned Latics rearguard, and a comfortable passage to round five for the Gunners as they keep the quadruple dream flickering.

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus.

Wigan predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Hunt, Smith, Weir, Murray; Bettoni, Wright; Taylor.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 Wigan