The Emirates Stadium sets the stage for a classic "David vs. Goliath" encounter this Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Premier League leaders Arsenal host League One strugglers Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 GMT.
Arsenal, the current cup holders and league leaders, are heavy favorites, but Wigan—the 2013 winners—arrive in London under a cloud of managerial change, hoping to spark a miracle that could save their season.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Emirates FA Cup (Fourth Round) |
| Date | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 16:30 GMT / 11:30 ET |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Referee | TBD |
| TV Channel | TNT Sports 1 / discovery+ (UK) |
Arsenal: The Relentless Leaders
Mikel Arteta’s men are flying high at the top of the Premier League. Despite recent success, including a 3–0 win over Sunderland last Saturday, Arteta is dealing with some significant injury concerns to his star creators. However, with a deep squad and the cup as a priority, the Gunners are expected to be ruthless.
Team News and Selection:
Injury Crisis: The biggest blow is to Bukayo Saka (hip), who is primed to miss this run of games with a return expected late February. Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard are being assessed but remain doubtful.
Long-term Absentees: Mikel Merino (foot) and young prospect Max Dowman (ankle) are confirmed out.
Rotation Potential: Expect Gabriel Jesus or Raheem Sterling (if fit) to play larger roles, while David Raya may be rested for cup specialist Neto.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Jorginho, Havertz; Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling.
Wigan Athletic: Chaos in the Dugout
It has been a traumatic week for the "Latics." Following a humiliating 6–1 loss to Peterborough on Saturday, the club sacked manager Ryan Lowe on February 10th. Former Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan has been named interim manager and faces the most daunting debut possible: an away trip to the league leaders.
Team News and Selection:
Interim Leadership: Glenn Whelan will be assisted by veteran Graham Barrow. Their priority will be defensive stability after conceding six in their last outing.
Selection Status: Unlike their hosts, Wigan reports a relatively clean bill of health, though confidence is at an all-time low as they sit in the League One relegation zone.
The Goal Threat: Thelo Aasgaard remains their most likely spark in midfield, while Joe Hugill will hope to exploit any complacency in the Arsenal backline.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Carragher, Aimson, Kerr, Chambers; Smith, Adeeko; Rankine, Aasgaard, Thomas; Hugill.
? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Recent Dominance: Arsenal has won the last three meetings between these two sides.
Historical Edge: In their last 21 meetings, Arsenal has won 15 times, with Wigan managing only 3 victories.
Common Result: A 1–0 Arsenal win is the most frequent scoreline historically (occurring 4 times).
Current Odds: Arsenal are massive favorites at approximately 1/16 (1.06), while a Wigan win is priced as high as 25/1.
Tactical Preview and Prediction
Under Glenn Whelan, Wigan is expected to deploy a "parking the bus" strategy, sitting deep and hoping to frustrate Arsenal’s possession game. However, even with Saka and Ødegaard likely out, Arsenal’s bench strength is far superior to anything in League One.
The Gunners' ability to move the ball quickly through Declan Rice and Kai Havertz should see them break through sooner rather than later. If Wigan concede early, it could be a long afternoon for the travelling supporters.
Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 4–0 Wigan Athletic
