Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic has the two football.london writers weighing in on their preferred starting XIs, with a 16-year-old handed a shirt and an agreement in principle with Eberechi Eze shaping the discussion.
Arsenal head to the Emirates on Sunday to face Wigan, the 2013 FA Cup winners, in a fourth-round tie. With Wigan currently managerless, their trip presents a relatively free swing for the Gunners, who are aiming to bounce back from Thursday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford.
For Arsenal, this match is also a chance for squad players to press their cases ahead of a demanding fixture schedule ahead. Tom Canton, the club’s chief Arsenal correspondent, and Ryan Taylor have each proposed their starting lineups for the game.
Tom Canton’s view
I admit I feel uneasy about the FA Cup in the wake of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final run and with the Premier League and Champions League clearly in view. For a tie against League One Wigan, Arsenal’s depth should allow for significant rotation—even with injuries—so I’d rotate heavily and give opportunities to fringe players like Marli Salmon.
I’d line up Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera at centre-back, with Riccardo Calafiori continuing his comeback by getting more minutes. Christian Norgaard would slot into midfield alongside Lewis-Skelly, freeing Eberechi Eze to operate higher up the pitch. Up front, the arrangement would be Gabriel Jesus supporting Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. In short, a straightforward win would protect energy for a big run of games next week against Wolves and Tottenham.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Wigan Athletic: Kepa; Salmon, White, Mosquera, Calafiori; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Ryan Taylor’s view
It’s disappointing that Max Dowman isn’t fit and that Ethan Nwaneri is out on loan, as both would likely have started this tie. This is a perfect moment for Arsenal to pause the title race chatter and enjoy a proper FA Cup weekend against Wigan.
Arteta will likely rotate again, and I’d like to see Marli Salmon elevated to centre-back alongside Cristian Mosquera. In goal, I’d stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga, with Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori at full-back.
Midfield would see Christian Norgaard anchor the team as the number six, while Myles Lewis-Skelly would be unleashed in a box-to-box role. Ebere Eze would operate as the number ten, a role that could help him rediscover form after a quieter midweek performance.
Up front, the attack should largely pick itself: Noni Madueke would continue on the wing, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in support.
Taylor’s Arsenal XI vs Wigan Athletic: Kepa; White, Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Would you tweak either lineup or keep faith with one of these plans? Do you think rotating for an FA Cup match ahead of a busy schedule is the smarter approach, or should Arsenal field their strongest available lineup every time? Share your thoughts in the comments.
