Arsenal Xhaka Replacement: Undroppable After Wigan?

After a hard‑fought draw in west London on Thursday, Arsenal returned to winning ways on Sunday, dispatching League One side Wigan Athletic 4‑0 in the FA Cup.

Match Overview

Wigan, former FA Cup winners but now languishing in 22nd place in the third tier, were overwhelmed by Mikel Arteta’s side, which took the lead in the opening half and never looked back.

Eberechi Eze, fresh from a difficult outing against Brentford, delivered two assists inside the first 18 minutes, setting up Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. An own‑goal from Jack Hunt and a finish from Gabriel Jesus completed the tally.

Bukayo Saka, shifted into a central‑attacking role due to Riccardo Calafiori’s injury, contributed a key pass, completed 17 carries and was fouled three times in his 45‑minute cameo.

Stand‑out Performances

While Eze and Saka attracted praise, the man of the match award went to Danish midfielder Christian Norgård. The 31‑year‑old, who has made only 13 appearances for Arsenal this season, produced a textbook performance from deep‑lying midfield.

90 minutes played, 109 touches
84 successful passes out of 94 attempts (89% accuracy)
1 assist and 1 key pass
27 carries covering 120.6 m
2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 clearances
Won 6 of 8 ground duels and the sole aerial duel

His composure and range of passing drew comparisons to former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka and England midfielder Declan Rice.

Did You Know? Wigan Athletic, despite being a former FA Cup champion, are currently battling relegation and sit 22nd in League One.

Expert Insight: The comprehensive victory not only restores Arsenal’s momentum after a league stalemate but also offers Arteta a clear view of squad depth. Players like Norgård, who have seen limited game time, can now stake a claim for more regular involvement, while the attacking trio of Eze, Saka and Martinelli demonstrates a versatile template for future fixtures.

What It Means for Arsenal

The win reinforces Arsenal’s confidence across four simultaneous competitions and validates Arteta’s rotation policy. It also highlights emerging options in midfield and attack, providing a buffer against injuries and fatigue as the season progresses.

Looking Ahead

Should the Gunners maintain this level of performance, they could carry the momentum into upcoming Premier League matches, potentially improving their standing in the title race. Norgård’s display may earn him more minutes, challenging the recent form of other midfield options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored Arsenal’s goals?

Goals came from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, an own‑goal by Jack Hunt and Gabriel Jesus.

Why was the victory important?

It marked Arsenal’s return to winning form after a league draw, provided valuable squad rotation and underscored the team’s depth against lower‑league opposition.

Who was named man of the match?

Christian Norgård received the man of the match award for his all‑round midfield performance.

How do you think Arsenal’s squad depth will influence their push for the league title?