Arsenal vs Wigan Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 15 February

Arsenal face Wigan in an intriguing FA Cup clash on Sunday, 15 February. The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium, providing a familiar backdrop for the Gunners as they look to progress further in this prestigious competition. This Arsenal vs Wigan prediction, match preview and betting tips offers a fascinating look at how the Premier League side will fare against their lower-league opponents.

The Emirates Stadium will be buzzing with anticipation as Arsenal, renowned for their attacking prowess, take on Wigan, who will be eager to cause an upset. Both clubs have a rich FA Cup history, adding extra significance to this encounter. With Arsenal’s home advantage and Wigan’s determination, this match promises to deliver an exciting contest for fans and bettors alike.

Arsenal vs Wigan Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Arsenal -2.50 (Asian Handicap)	1.86

Given the gulf in class between Premier League side Arsenal and League One’s Wigan, we are backing Arsenal to win by at least a three-goal margin. Arsenal’s attacking quality, especially with Gabriel Martinelli in fine form, suggests they can break down Wigan’s defence with ease at the Emirates Stadium.

• Gabriel Martinelli has scored 3 goals in just 1 match this season, showcasing his current form and ability to find the back of the net.
• Arsenal have been playing well, particularly in attack, making them likely to dominate against a lower-tier team like Wigan.
• Despite Wigan’s decent away record, the gap in quality between the teams is significant, favouring a large margin victory for Arsenal.

Betting Odds

Arsenal are overwhelming favourites in this FA Cup clash against Wigan, with the match odds heavily tilted in their favour. The Gunners’ odds are as low as 1.05, reflecting their strong form and home advantage at the Emirates Stadium.

Betting Tip	Odds
Arsenal to win	1.05
Draw	13.5
Wigan to win	30.93

For those seeking a bigger payout, Wigan’s odds are a staggering 30.93, suggesting a massive upset would be required for them to come out on top. Meanwhile, a draw is priced at 13.5, which could tempt those expecting a resilient performance from the visitors.

Arsenal Analysis & Recent Performance

Arsenal come into this fixture on a strong run, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches with four wins and one draw. This impressive streak includes a commanding 4-0 victory against Leeds and a solid 3-0 win over Sunderland, highlighting their attacking strength.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	League	Date
Brentford	Arsenal	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	12 Feb 2026
Arsenal	Sunderland	3 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	7 Feb 2026
Arsenal	Chelsea	1 – 0 (Win)	EFL Cup	3 Feb 2026
Leeds	Arsenal	0 – 4 (Win)	Premier League	31 Jan 2026
Arsenal	Kairat Almaty	3 – 2 (Win)	Champions League	28 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Offensively, Arsenal have been effective, averaging 2.40 goals per game in their last five matches while maintaining a solid defensive record with 3 clean sheets. Their defence has conceded just 0.60 goals per match during this period, reflecting their ability to control games at the back. Notably, Arsenal’s home form has been particularly strong, with three consecutive wins and an overall win ratio of 0.80 in their last ten home games.

Arsenal’s key player, Gabriel Martinelli, has been instrumental in their recent success, contributing 3 goals. Defensively, the team has shown resilience, conceding just 3 goals in five matches, underscoring their ability to limit opposition chances effectively. Their tactical discipline and balanced play have been crucial in maintaining their form.

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Arsenal Suspensions & Injuries

Arsenal approach their FA Cup clash against Wigan with a clean bill of health regarding injuries and suspensions. This full squad availability provides Mikel Arteta with the luxury of choice and the opportunity to field his strongest side at the Emirates Stadium. The absence of unavailable players ensures Arsenal can maintain their preferred tactical setup, with no forced adjustments needed.

Recent performances have featured a solid defensive line with Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, while the midfield, bolstered by Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, remains a stronghold for the Gunners. With Viktor Gyökeres leading the attack, Arsenal’s offensive capabilities are likely to be fully utilised against Wigan.

The tactical impact of having no injuries or suspensions allows Arsenal to execute their game plan without compromise. Arteta can deploy his preferred formation, potentially sticking to a system that maximises possession and exploits the attacking talents of players like Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze.

For betting markets, Arsenal’s full-strength squad enhances their favourite status, as they have the depth and quality to dominate proceedings. This lack of unavailable players could also lead to a more fluid and cohesive performance, reinforcing their potential to secure a comfortable victory over Wigan.

Arsenal Key Players

Arsenal’s attack will be spearheaded by Gabriel Martinelli, the top scorer with 3 goals this season. Martinelli’s dynamic playing style combines pace, dribbling, and a keen eye for goal, making him a constant threat to Wigan’s defence. His ability to exploit spaces and finish clinically will be pivotal in breaking down the opposition’s defensive lines.

In midfield, Arsenal will rely heavily on their playmakers to control the tempo and create opportunities. A strong midfield presence will be crucial against Wigan, allowing Arsenal to dominate possession and transition effectively between defence and attack.

Defensively, Arsenal’s backline will need to maintain their composure and organisation to prevent any counter-attacks from Wigan. The defenders’ ability to read the game and intercept passes will be essential in maintaining a clean sheet and supporting the offensive efforts.

Arsenal Tactics and Formation

Arsenal Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Viktor Gyökeres
• Midfield Pivot: Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last ten games
• Notable Strategy: Dominating possession with a 60% average, leveraging quick transitions and wide play.

Arsenal’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation under Mikel Arteta is designed to maintain control in midfield while providing attacking flexibility. The midfield duo of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice offers a blend of defensive coverage and ball distribution, crucial for transitioning play from defence to attack.

In the attacking third, Viktor Gyökeres serves as the focal point, supported by creative talents such as Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard. This setup allows Arsenal to exploit wide areas effectively, with wingers looking to cut inside and create scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Arsenal’s backline, including Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, has shown resilience, contributing to three clean sheets in the last ten matches. However, the absence of key players like Mikel Merino due to injury necessitates adjustments in midfield depth, which could impact their defensive solidity.

Wigan Analysis & Recent Performance

Wigan’s recent form has been concerning, with a winless streak in their last five matches, including four losses and one draw. Their latest outing against Reading ended in a 1-2 defeat, further highlighting their struggles this season. This poor run has seen them concede a total of 14 goals while managing to score only 5, averaging a disappointing 1.00 goals per match. Defensively, they have been vulnerable, allowing an average of 2.80 goals per game, which underscores their lack of solidity at the back.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Wigan	Reading	1 – 2 (Loss)	League One	10 Feb 2026
Peterborough	Wigan	6 – 1 (Loss)	League One	7 Feb 2026
Wigan	Lincoln City	0 – 1 (Loss)	League One	31 Jan 2026
Wycombe	Wigan	2 – 0 (Loss)	League One	27 Jan 2026
Doncaster	Wigan	3 – 3 (Draw)	League One	24 Jan 2026

Recent Form:

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Despite their recent decline, Wigan have shown some attacking intent, as evidenced by the three games in which they managed to find the back of the net. However, their inability to secure clean sheets—zero in their last ten matches—remains a critical weakness. Away from home, Wigan’s performance statistics are slightly better, with a solitary win in their last five away fixtures, but overall, their away win ratio is a mere 0.20. The team’s current dynamics suggest a need for strategic and tactical improvements to avoid further setbacks.

Wigan Suspensions & Injuries

Wigan approach their FA Cup clash against Arsenal with a clean bill of health, as there are no current injuries or suspensions affecting their squad. This provides manager Glenn Whelan with the luxury of selecting his strongest lineup, maximising tactical flexibility against a formidable opponent.

The absence of injuries or suspensions means Wigan can deploy their preferred formation without having to compensate for missing players. This is crucial as they face an Arsenal side known for their attacking prowess. Having a full squad allows Wigan to potentially focus on a defensive setup to counter Arsenal’s strengths, while still retaining the freedom to switch tactics if necessary.

With no unavailable players, Wigan’s depth will not be tested, allowing them to maintain a consistent level of performance throughout the match. This could be an advantage in terms of stamina and strategic substitutions, especially in the latter stages of the game.

In terms of betting implications, the full availability of Wigan’s squad might slightly balance the scales against the odds heavily favouring Arsenal. While Arsenal remain the favourites, Wigan’s complete squad gives them a fighting chance to cause an upset, potentially influencing betting markets.

Wigan Key Players

As Wigan prepare for their FA Cup clash against Arsenal, the spotlight will be on their top scorer, Harrison Bettoni. Although he has netted only 1 goal this season, Bettoni’s role as a forward is crucial for Wigan’s attacking ambitions. His ability to find space and exploit defensive gaps will be vital against a strong Arsenal defence.

In midfield, Wigan rely on the creativity and tactical intelligence of their playmaker. This player’s ability to dictate the tempo and distribute the ball effectively can unlock Arsenal’s defensive setup, providing opportunities for the forwards to capitalise on.

Defensively, Wigan’s backline will need to be resolute. The defenders must maintain their shape and discipline to withstand Arsenal’s attacking prowess. Their ability to intercept passes and make crucial tackles will be essential in preventing Arsenal from gaining an upper hand.

These key players collectively shape Wigan’s tactical approach, focusing on a balanced strategy that leverages their strengths in attack while maintaining defensive solidity. The interplay between the midfield and forward line, supported by a strong defensive foundation, will be pivotal in influencing the match outcome.

Wigan Tactics and Formation

Wigan Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely 3-5-2 or 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Christian Saydee
• Midfield Engine: Matthew Smith and Jensen Weir
• Defensive Organisation: Aimson, Kerr, and Fox
• Recent Form: Struggling defensively with no clean sheets in five games.

Wigan’s tactical setup under Glenn Whelan typically revolves around a three-man defence, likely in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation. This provides flexibility in transition and width through their wing-backs, Jack Hunt and Fraser Murray. The central defensive trio of Will Aimson, Jason Kerr, and Morgan Fox forms the backbone of their structure, though they have been vulnerable, as shown by their failure to keep a clean sheet in recent matches.

In midfield, Matthew Smith and Jensen Weir are pivotal, tasked with both breaking up opposition play and linking defence with attack. Their ability to control the midfield will be crucial against Arsenal, especially considering Wigan’s struggles with maintaining possession, as evidenced by their 43% possession in their last game.

Offensively, Christian Saydee leads the line, supported by dynamic midfielders such as Callum Wright and Harrison Bettoni, who is also their top scorer. Wigan will look to exploit counter-attacking opportunities, although their recent form, having not won in five games, suggests they might struggle against Arsenal’s high-pressing style at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal vs Wigan Head-to-Head Record

Arsenal have dominated the head-to-head record against Wigan, winning 16 out of 21 encounters, while Wigan have managed just 3 victories, with 3 matches ending in draws. The last time these two sides met was in the FA Cup in April 2014, where Arsenal triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

The last time Arsenal hosted Wigan was in the Premier League in May 2013, when they secured a convincing 4-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s strong home form against Wigan is evident, having won the majority of their home fixtures.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Wigan Athletic	Arsenal	1 – 1 (Extra time: 0 – 0) (Penalty shoot-out: 2 – 4)	FA Cup	2014-04-12
Arsenal	Wigan Athletic	4 – 1	Premier League	2013-05-14
Wigan Athletic	Arsenal	0 – 1	Premier League	2012-12-22
Arsenal	Wigan Athletic	1 – 2	Premier League	2012-04-16
Wigan Athletic	Arsenal	0 – 4	Premier League	2011-12-03