Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has warned that “the shirt or shorts you put on are irrelevant” earlier than the Premier League leaders host Wigan Athletic.
The Gunners are big favourites to beat opponents and not using a supervisor and third-bottom within the third tier, having gone winless in eight League One matches and misplaced their final 4.
“If you come to a contest, you must be wonderful on the day,” urged Arteta. “We’re going to must show that in opposition to Wigan once more on Sunday.”
Evaluation: Arsenal’s latest FA Cup file
Arsenal haven’t gone past the fourth spherical since profitable the competitors in 2019/20, beating Chelsea 2-1 within the last on the finish of Arteta’s first season in cost.
They’ve gone out within the third spherical at residence within the final two marketing campaign, struggling a painful defeat on penalties at residence to Manchester United final season and conceding twice after the 79th minute in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in 2023/24.
“We haven’t been ok on that day,” accepted Arteta. “The historical past we’ve got within the competitors is wonderful. We’re enjoying at residence and I’m actually excited.”
Whereas Arteta has established Arsenal as title contenders, a part of their issues within the FA Cup have come as a result of the Spaniard has rotated his squad within the competitors.
Their final FA Cup trophy defence got here to a meek finish at Southampton within the fourth spherical in 2020/21, a season earlier than they went out at Nottingham Forest, who have been within the Championship on the time.
Why will Arteta rotate his beginning staff within the FA Cup?
Regardless of these experiences, Arteta expects to offer fringe gamers alternatives once more this time.
The Spaniard says he’s “making an attempt to ensure that everyone is a giant a part of what we’re doing in several competitions”, together with the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal may also meet Manchester Metropolis within the EFL Cup last on March 22 (17:30 GMT). “Each three days, we’re getting so used to enjoying in several competitions, residence or away,” noticed Arteta.
“We all know what [each] competitors means to the membership [and] to ourselves.”
The sport in opposition to the Latics arrives three days after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Brentford within the Premier League, which has put them 4 factors above second-placed Manchester Metropolis with 12 league matches remaining.
Can Wigan upset Arsenal within the FA Cup?
Wigan are being led by vastly skilled interim head coach Graham Barrow, who’s in cost as a result of supervisor Ryan Lowe was sacked following a 6-1 league defeat at Peterborough United final Saturday.
The Latics received 2-1 at Arsenal within the Premier League in 2012/13 below present Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez, scoring their objectives inside the primary eight minutes and happening to win the FA Cup that season, beating Metropolis within the last.
As a second-tier aspect, Wigan took a second-half lead at Arsenal within the 2014/15 semi-finals earlier than shedding on penalties.
It could, nonetheless, be an enormous shock in the event that they beat Arsenal this time in a sport many might view as a much less strenuous problem for the hosts amid their demanding schedule.
Arteta has harm and health considerations amongst his squad and should really feel some reduction at going through a kinder-looking fixture.
Centre-back William Saliba missed the draw at Brentford by sickness and ahead Kai Havertz was additionally sidelined by a muscle problem, whereas inspirational winger Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard made their returns from the bench.
What number of occasions have Arsenal received the FA Cup? File, stats
Arsenal have received the FA Cup a file 14 occasions – one forward of Manchester United – and first lifted the trophy in 1930.
They’ve been runners-up seven occasions, final shedding the ultimate in 2001. Solely United (22) have reached the ultimate extra usually.
A season after Wigan’s triumph, Arteta received the FA Cup for the primary time as a participant with Arsenal in 2013/14.
They recovered from falling 2-0 behind to Hull Metropolis within the last that season, profitable 3-2 after further time.
How you can watch Arsenal vs Wigan: TV channel, reside on-line stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 16:30 GMT (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with reside protection within the UK on TNT Sports activities 1 and TNT Sports activities Final.
TNT Sports activities prices £29.99 a month by Discovery Plus+, which incorporates Eurosport and leisure and is out there on an enormous vary of gadgets together with sensible TVs and gaming consoles.
What’s subsequent for these sides? Arsenal, Wigan fixtures, schedule
Arsenal go to backside aspect Wolves within the Premier League on Wednesday (20:00), then host Tottenham on February 22 (16:30).
Wigan begin the weekend two factors from security and are subsequent in motion in opposition to two promotion hopefuls, internet hosting Luton City on Wednesday (19:45) and visiting Stockport County on Saturday (15:00).
