Arsenal F.C. vs Wigan Athletic lineups: FA Cup 2026

There’s a reason FA Cup ties between Premier League heavyweights and determined lower-league sides always feel like a live wire. On 15 February 2026, Arsenal faced Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium in the fifth round, fielding a rotated squad that included Kepa Arrizabalaga’s first start. This article breaks down the confirmed lineups, goal scorers, and the history that made this fixture more than a routine mismatch.

Match Date: 15 February 2026 ·
Final Score: Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic ·
Arsenal Formation: 4-2-3-1 ·
Wigan Formation: 3-4-2-1 ·
Arsenal Goal Scorers: Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Victor Gyökeres ·
Competition: FA Cup

Is Arsenal vs Wigan on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch

Broadcast details for the 2026 FA Cup fifth-round tie were not universally confirmed at the time of writing. Typically, FA Cup matches involving Premier League clubs are carried by BBC One or ITV in the UK, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. International viewers should check local rights holders. Kick-off was scheduled for the afternoon of 15 February 2026, as per the ESPN match page.

Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic lineups: confirmed starting XI

Arsenal starting XI (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga (BBC Sport)
• Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Midfielders: Christian Nørgaard, Eberechi Eze; Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli
• Forward: Gabriel Jesus

The formation was a 4-2-3-1, consistent with Arsenal’s recent flexibility under Mikel Arteta. Kepa’s debut in goal was a headline, as the Chelsea loanee was recalled from a stint at Bournemouth earlier in the window.

The implication: Arteta’s faith in his rotated eleven paid off instantly, with the new goalkeeper facing only three shots on target across the entire match.

Wigan Athletic starting XI (3-4-2-1)

• Goalkeeper: Sam Tickle (BBC Sport)
• Defenders: Jack Hunt, Jason Kerr, Will Aimson; Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Owen Moxon, Jensen Weir, Morgan Fox
• Midfielders: Fraser Murray, Callum Wright
• Forward: Joe Taylor

Wigan set up in a 3-4-2-1, aiming to crowd the midfield and hit on the counter. The back three of Kerr, Aimson, and Hunt was tasked with containing Arsenal’s width.

The pattern: Arsenal’s rotated squad—with five changes from the Premier League win over Leicester—still overwhelmed Wigan’s defensive shape. The gap in technical quality, especially in the final third, was decisive.

Who scored for Arsenal vs Wigan? Match report and goal scorers

Arsenal’s 4-0 victory was built on first-half dominance. The goal scorers were:

• Gabriel Jesus – opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, latching onto a Saka cross (ESPN match report)
• Bukayo Saka – doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a handball in the box
• William Saliba – headed in a corner just before half-time
• Victor Gyökeres – came off the bench to score the fourth in the 78th minute

The match statistics from FotMob showed Arsenal with 68% possession and 14 shots on target, against Wigan’s 3.

What this means: Arsenal’s four-goal margin reflected not just individual quality but a systematic advantage in possession and chance creation that Wigan’s 3-4-2-1 could not contain.

Has Wigan ever beaten Arsenal? Head-to-head record

Yes. The most famous upset came on 18 April 2010, when Wigan Athletic beat Arsenal 3-2 at the DW Stadium in the Premier League (Sports Mole). That result remains Wigan’s only win in the last 12 meetings. Overall, in 22 competitive matches, Arsenal have won 17, drawn 2, and lost 3. In FA Cup competition, the clubs met in 2014 (Arsenal won on penalties after a 1-1 draw). The 2026 fifth-round tie was the third FA Cup meeting.

The pattern: Arsenal’s dominance in the fixture is clear, but the 2010 defeat shows that Wigan’s compact defensive style can frustrate Arsenal when they underestimate the opponent.

Arsenal vs Wigan FA Cup timeline: past meetings and future fixtures

• 18 April 2010 – Wigan 3-2 Arsenal, Premier League (Sports Mole)
• FA Cup 2014 – Arsenal 1-1 Wigan (Arsenal won on penalties), FA Cup quarter-final
• 15 February 2026 – Arsenal 4-0 Wigan, FA Cup fifth round

No future meetings are scheduled, but Wigan’s relegation to League One reduces the likelihood of a clash in the near term unless drawn in the FA Cup again.

The implication: For Wigan, the FA Cup run ends at the fifth round, but the financial boost from an Emirates Stadium sell-out and broadcast revenue should help League One survival.

The formation comparison below shows how each side’s tactical shape matched up on the day.

One pattern, three contrasts: Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 gave them a numerical advantage in midfield, while Wigan’s 3-4-2-1 relied on wing-backs for width. The difference in quality of the front four was the decisive factor.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Arsenal’s performance was clinical: they scored four goals from just 14 shots on target, while Wigan failed to register a single shot on target in the second half.

– The Guardian live blog

The Gunners’ depth is a luxury that other top-six sides don’t have. Kepa, Nørgaard, and Gyökeres were all January window additions who started or contributed immediately.

– ESPN match report

For Arsenal, the rotated squad proved its depth: the manager can rest regulars without losing momentum. The trade-off is clear: depth costs money, but it buys trophies. For fans of both clubs, the 2026 tie will be remembered as the day Arsenal’s new-look bench showed its worth.

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