Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta made an important statement ahead of the FA Cup round of 16 match against Wigan, which will take place today at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Arteta emphasized that the team is already accustomed to playing under pressure, as their schedule also includes competitions in the EPL and the Champions League. "We have the experience that helps us cope with the demands," noted the coach.
The Arsenal team approaches the cup match after a minor setback in the league — a draw of 1:1 with Brentford and the effort to fight harder for the championship. The team continues to show a high level of play, however, issues with positional attacks have been identified, and Arteta is likely to implement squad rotation. Saliba has recovered, but will again rest due to a recent illness. Havertz and Merino will also miss the match due to injuries.
The State of Wigan Ahead of the Match
Wigan is currently going through tough times. After a crushing defeat of 1:6 to Peterborough, the team lost head coach Ryan Lowe. Despite new strategies, Wigan suffered another defeat — this time 1:2 to Reading. The team has serious defensive problems, leading to five losses in the last six matches and the unfortunate reality of being in the relegation zone in League 1.
In such a state, Wigan also faces serious issues in game control, as the team has not been able to keep a clean sheet for six consecutive matches. Arteta emphasized that Arsenal's backup squad, even with all the rotations, still has great potential. Today, the Gunners will aim to exploit the opponent's weaknesses in aerial battles and set pieces.
Official Match Opening
The match will start today at 18:30 Kyiv time. Fans will be able to follow the events live on Setanta Sports channel. The game is expected to attract the attention of fans from both teams. Whether Arsenal can showcase their strength or Wigan can surprise everyone will soon be revealed.
