Arsenal: Arteta admits concerns about the squad after injuries in the cup victory.

The victory of Arsenal in the FA Cup against Wigan Athletic was not only an impressive milestone but also a wake-up call for Mikel Arteta, who expressed growing concerns about his team’s situation. The 4-0 triumph, which propelled the Gunners into the fifth round of the competition, was overshadowed by injuries that are testing the squad’s depth at critical moments.

Arsenal, who already leads the Premier League, did not let themselves be discouraged by the frail opponent from the Championship, but the victory came at a high price. Manager Arteta was visibly worried after the departure of two players due to injury, starting with Riccardo Calafiori, who was injured during warm-up, and culminating with Ben White’s exit at the end of the match. “Yes, I am concerned about the lack of options,” Arteta admitted. “Before it was the forwards, then the defenders, now it’s the midfielders. We need players back and fit to have not only numbers but different options.”

The Arsenal display was undeniably dominant; they became the first team in the history of the Premier League to score four goals in the first 30 minutes of an FA Cup match. Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by Gabriel Martinelli, who doubled the lead seven minutes later. An own goal by Jack Hunt solidified the Gunners’ advantage, and Gabriel Jesus capped off the scoring before halftime. However, the victory came with a cloud of uncertainty as the team prepares to face Wolves and Tottenham next week.

In addition to Calafiori and White, the team was already without captain Martin Odegaard, who suffered an injury in the draw against Brentford. Kai Havertz is also sidelined, and Mikel Merino is out for the entire season following foot surgery. With so many injuries affecting the squad, Arteta emphasized the urgency of having players back to maintain the club’s aspirations in multiple competitions.

Arteta also made a point of highlighting Eberechi Eze’s performance, who, despite a challenging start to 2026, shone by providing assists for Arsenal’s first two goals. “Some incredible goals and his intent were really positive,” praised Arteta. Eze, who had been on a 15-game drought without involvement in goals, seems to have rediscovered his form, proving decisive in Arsenal’s attack.

With Odegaard sidelined, the question everyone is asking is whether Eze can take on an even more central role in the team. Arteta’s response was clear: “Yes, he is already playing a great role. He has played many games for us and will continue to do so.” Arsenal’s future looks promising, but the team needs to face the challenges with determination and a robust strategy to navigate this period of adversity.