The Gunners noticed two extra gamers injured.
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta conceded he’s involved about his squad being stretched after their 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic was considerably marred by accidents.
The Gunners produced an unsurprisingly dominant efficiency in opposition to the League One strugglers to maneuver into the fifth spherical because the Premier League leaders proceed to compete on 4 fronts.
Regardless of dropping Riccardo Calafiori to an damage within the warm-up, Arsenal grew to become the primary Premier League facet to attain 4 targets within the first half-hour of an FA Cup tie as they put the Latics to the sword to maintain their hopes of a quadruple alive.
Noni Madueke opened the scoring within the eleventh minute earlier than Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead seven minutes later. Jack Hunt’s personal purpose put any trace of a comeback to mattress, and it was 4-0 within the twenty seventh minute after Gabriel Jesus’ composed end.
But there was extra damage concern when Calafiori’s fellow defender Ben White was compelled off late on.
Arsenal have been with out captain Martin Odegaard as a result of a knock he sustained within the 1-1 draw with Brentford on Thursday. Kai Havertz is dealing with one other spell on the sidelines with a muscle damage, whereas Mikel Merino is out for the season following foot surgical procedure.
And, with Arsenal dealing with Wolves and Tottenham within the Premier League this week, Arteta expressed concern about how his squad is being examined by accidents.
Requested if he’s involved in regards to the shortness of his squad, Arteta replied: “Sure. Earlier than it was the strikers, then it was the defenders, now it’s the midfielders. However we’re nonetheless dealing with that, however we’d like some gamers again and match to present us not solely numbers however totally different choices in relation to the opponents that we now have, so the faster the higher.”
Backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga additionally got here off late, however there seems to be no concern across the Spaniard.
On the accidents his facet sustained in opposition to Wigan, Arteta replied: “Him [Calafiori] and Ben are the one doubts. We have now to attend and see within the subsequent 48 hours how issues develop.
“Martin we’ll have to attend and see. He picked that knock on the motion after we conceded the purpose [at Brentford] and he wasn’t match for at the moment.”
Arsenal boss heaps reward on Eze
Maybe the primary constructive for Arsenal from knowledgeable show was Eberechi Eze’s exhibiting.
Eze, who has endured a tough begin to 2026, ended a 15-game run and not using a purpose involvement as he supplied the assists for Arsenal’s first two targets. He performed an outstanding throughball for Madueke’s opener, and one other brilliantly judged cross teed up Martinelli.
The previous Crystal Palace man hit the side-netting within the second half and compelled Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle into a robust save within the second half.
Arteta mentioned of Eze:”Some very good targets and his intentions, I believe the danger that he took within the remaining third, the quantity of photographs that he tried to take as nicely, I believe that’s actually constructive. That’s what I need from him.
“These gamers want these moments and particularly after we speak in regards to the artistic gamers, they should really feel that they’re producing these moments and I’m very pleased with that.
“I’m very pleased with Gabi as nicely, the run that he made, the timing of that after which the end in motion, actually, actually constructive. So it’s good for the temper, for the arrogance, it’s a extremely good factor.”
Requested if Eze may have an even bigger position to play with the damage to Odegaard, Arteta replied: “Sure, he’s already taking part in an enormous position. He’s performed loads of video games for us and he’ll proceed to do this.”
