Arsenal will aim to secure a spot in the FA Cup fifth round when they host Wigan Athletic at the Emirates on Sunday evening. Mikel Arteta has no new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
William Saliba is the latest absentee, as he missed the Premier League game against Brentford earlier this week due to a virus. It is unclear if the French international will be fit and available to take on Wigan Athletic this weekend.
Additionally, Mikel Merino (foot), Max Dowman (ankle), and Kai Havertz (muscular) remain in the treatment room. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta did not provide a fitness update on any player. However, the Spanish tactician discussed possible changes to the starting lineup as the games continue to come thick and fast.
The Arsenal manager said, “Yes, that’s what we’ve been doing. I mean, try to make sure that everybody is a big part of what we are doing in different competitions and Sunday will be the same.”
Meanwhile, during his presser, Arteta also discussed the challenge of juggling multiple games in a week and how he manages such a packed schedule. The Arsenal boss said, “Every three days we are playing different competitions so we are so used to it.”
“So we will reflect on the game [v Brentford], take the positive, the learnings for sure that we have to improve and go on Sunday again with the energy and the batteries fully charged to go and win the game.”
“It’s an opportunity for the team, again, with another competition, and the history that we have related to that competition, it’s amazing. We’ll play at home again. I’m really excited to recover and go again.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace David Raya between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Wigan Athletic on Sunday. The backline will feature Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
As for the midfield unit, Martin Odegaard will line up alongside Christian Norgaard in the double pivot, with Eberechi Eze reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for the home side against Wigan Athletic, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Norgaard; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus
