Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned that “the shirt or shorts you wear are irrelevant” before the Premier League leaders host Wigan Athletic.
The Gunners are huge favourites to beat opponents without a manager and third-bottom in the third tier, having gone winless in eight League One matches and lost their last four.
“When you come to a competition, you have to be excellent on the day,” urged Arteta. “We’re going to have to prove that against Wigan again on Sunday.”
Analysis: Arsenal’s recent FA Cup record
Arsenal have not gone beyond the fourth round since winning the competition in 2019/20, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final at the end of Arteta’s first season in charge.
They have gone out in the third round at home in the last two campaign, suffering a painful defeat on penalties at home to Manchester United last season and conceding twice after the 79th minute in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in 2023/24.
“We haven’t been good enough on that day,” accepted Arteta. “The history we have in the competition is amazing. We are playing at home and I am really excited.”
While Arteta has established Arsenal as title contenders, part of their problems in the FA Cup have come because the Spaniard has rotated his squad in the competition.
Their last FA Cup trophy defence came to a meek end at Southampton in the fourth round in 2020/21, a season before they went out at Nottingham Forest, who were in the Championship at the time.
Why will Arteta rotate his starting team in the FA Cup?
Despite those experiences, Arteta expects to give fringe players opportunities again this time.
The Spaniard says he is “trying to make sure that everybody is a big part of what we are doing in different competitions”, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal will also meet Manchester City in the EFL Cup final on March 22 (17:30 GMT). “Every three days, we are getting so used to playing in different competitions, home or away,” observed Arteta.
“We know what [each] competition means to the club [and] to ourselves.”
The game against the Latics arrives three days after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Brentford in the Premier League, which has put them four points above second-placed Manchester City with 12 league matches remaining.
Can Wigan upset Arsenal in the FA Cup?
Wigan are being led by hugely experienced interim head coach Graham Barrow, who is in charge because manager Ryan Lowe was sacked following a 6-1 league defeat at Peterborough United last Saturday.
The Latics won 2-1 at Arsenal in the Premier League in 2012/13 under current Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, scoring their goals inside the first eight minutes and going on to win the FA Cup that season, beating City in the final.
As a second-tier side, Wigan took a second-half lead at Arsenal in the 2014/15 semi-finals before losing on penalties.
It would, however, be a huge shock if they beat Arsenal this time in a game many may view as a less strenuous challenge for the hosts amid their demanding schedule.
Arteta has injury and fitness concerns among his squad and may feel some relief at facing a kinder-looking fixture.
Centre-back William Saliba missed the draw at Brentford through illness and forward Kai Havertz was also sidelined by a muscle issue, while inspirational winger Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard made their returns from the bench.
How many times have Arsenal won the FA Cup? Record, stats
Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 14 times – one ahead of Manchester United – and first lifted the trophy in 1930.
They have been runners-up seven times, last losing the final in 2001. Only United (22) have reached the final more often.
A season after Wigan’s triumph, Arteta won the FA Cup for the first time as a player with Arsenal in 2013/14.
They recovered from falling 2-0 behind to Hull City in the final that season, winning 3-2 after extra time.
How to watch Arsenal vs Wigan: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 16:30 GMT (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through Discovery Plus+, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
What’s next for these sides? Arsenal, Wigan fixtures, schedule
Arsenal visit bottom side Wolves in the Premier League on Wednesday (20:00), then host Tottenham on February 22 (16:30).
Wigan start the weekend two points from safety and are next in action against two promotion hopefuls, hosting Luton Town on Wednesday (19:45) and visiting Stockport County on Saturday (15:00).
