Arsenal vs Wigan: Prediction, H2H and probable line-ups — 15 February 2026
Wigan
On Sunday, 15 February, the Emirates Stadium in London will host an FA Cup Round of 32 clash. The Gunners welcome Wigan Athletic in a fixture that, on paper, looks like a classic David vs Goliath showdown. Dive into our match preview and expert prediction for this encounter.
Match preview
Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, are in stellar form, topping the Premier League table with 57 points from 26 matches. Midweek, they were held to a draw by Brentford (1-1), but before that, they put together a string of convincing victories. The FA Cup holds a special place for the Londoners, and Arteta clearly has no intention of bowing out at such an early stage. Expect the manager to rotate his squad, giving opportunities to fringe players and young talents. Even so, Arsenal's squad depth allows them to field a formidable team, even with some key players rested.
Wigan Athletic are enduring a tough spell. The League One side (third tier) currently sit in the relegation zone, occupying 22nd place. The club recently parted ways with head coach Ryan Lowe, and interim managers Graham Barrow and Glenn Whelan are preparing the team for this clash against a football giant. Despite their league struggles, the Latics have shown resilience in the Cup: in the previous round, they knocked out Preston. For Wigan, this match is a chance to momentarily forget their league woes and pull off a miracle at one of the country’s finest stadiums—something they famously did in the 2013 final.
Tactically, Arsenal are set to dominate possession, likely holding over 70% of the ball. The Gunners will look to stretch Wigan's compact defensive block by using the full width of the pitch. Wigan are expected to settle into two deep defensive lines near their box, relying solely on rare counter-attacks and set pieces. The big question is whether the visitors' disjointed backline can contain Arsenal's skilful wingers, even until half-time.
Probable line-ups
Arsenal: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Rice; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Wigan: Tickle; Fox, Aimson, Kerr; Hunt, Weir, Smith, Murray; Bettoni, Wright; Taylor
Match facts and head-to-head
- The last time these clubs met was in 2014, when Wigan won on penalties
- Arsenal have lost only one of their last 15 matches, keeping clean sheets in three of their last four
- Wigan are on a four-game losing streak
Prediction
I expect a high-scoring affair, with the English football giants hosting a modest League One side. My prediction: over 3.5 goals at 1.65
