Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirms he will rotate his squad for the FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic as the Premier League leaders juggle four competitions.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will rotate their squad for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Wigan Athletic, as the Gunners look to respond to their midweek setback at Brentford.
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The Premier League leaders were held to a 1-1 draw on Thursday, missing the chance to restore a six-point cushion over Manchester City at the top of the table.
The Spaniard sees the change of competition as an opportunity to reset both mentally and physically. With Arsenal competing on four fronts this season, managing fatigue has become a priority as fixtures continue to come thick and fast.
“Yes, that’s what we’ve been doing, trying to make sure that everybody is a big part of what we are doing in different competitions. Sunday will be the same,” Arteta said when asked about rotating his team. He emphasized the importance of keeping the entire squad engaged and ready to contribute.
Arteta acknowledged the relentless schedule, noting that Arsenal are now accustomed to playing every three days across various competitions. Despite the rotation, he stressed that the FA Cup remains a significant objective for the club, given its rich history in the tournament.
Arsenal are record 14-time winners of the FA Cup, but they have not lifted the trophy since the 2019/20 season when Arteta first took charge. They have also failed to progress beyond the fourth round in each of the past five seasons, a run the manager is determined to end.
“We haven’t been good enough on that day and when you come to a competition, you have to be excellent on the day,” Arteta admitted. “So we’re going to have to prove that against Wigan again on Sunday.” The League One side will undoubtedly view the tie as an opportunity for a major upset.
Arteta also addressed his decision to substitute Eberechi Eze at half-time against Brentford, insisting it was purely tactical. The manager defended the £68 million signing, acknowledging that adapting to a new club can take time, particularly in physically demanding matches where creative players often find space limited.
