Arsenal's FA Cup Triumph Tarnished by Defensive Injury Blow
Arsenal delivered a commanding performance to sweep aside Wigan Athletic with a 4-0 victory in the FA Cup fourth round, yet the celebration was tempered by significant new injury concerns within their defensive ranks. The Gunners' emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium saw them advance to the fifth round for the first time since their 2020 FA Cup triumph, keeping alive faint hopes of an unprecedented quadruple this season. However, the loss of key defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White to injuries has introduced fresh uncertainty ahead of crucial fixtures.
Dominant Display on the Pitch
Mikel Arteta's side asserted their dominance early in the match, with Noni Madueke opening the scoring after just 11 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage eight minutes later, before an own goal from Jack Hunt and a strike from Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal four goals ahead inside the first half-hour. Despite failing to add to their tally in the second half, the one-sided nature of the victory underscored Arsenal's superiority and marked a positive step in their cup campaign.
Injury Woes Mount for Gunners
The match was overshadowed by defensive setbacks, starting moments before kick-off when left-back Riccardo Calafiori was withdrawn from the starting lineup due to an unspecified injury. This forced Arteta to promote Bukayo Saka from the substitutes' bench. In the second half, right-back Ben White pulled up and required treatment before leaving the field with a physio, compounding Arsenal's defensive woes.
Post-match, Arteta confirmed the injuries, stating, "[Calafiori] and Ben are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours how things develop." He also explained the absence of captain Martin Odegaard, who picked up a knock in midweek Premier League action against Brentford and was deemed unfit for the FA Cup clash.
Broader Injury Context and Squad Depth
These fresh concerns add to an already lengthy injury list for Arsenal. Calafiori had recently returned from a muscle injury that sidelined him for most of January, while White has been managed carefully since recovering from a hamstring issue in December. Additionally, Mikel Merino remains out with a foot injury, and Kai Havertz is nursing a muscle strain.
Arteta expressed frustration at the accumulating injuries, noting, "Yes, and especially because we are going through [to the next round]. Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders, now it’s the midfielders, but we are still coping with that. We need some players back and fit to give us not only numbers but different options in relation to the opponents we have. So the quicker they are [fit], the better."
Silver Lining Amidst the Gloom
On a positive note, William Saliba made a welcome return to action after a recent illness, playing an hour of the match before being replaced by teenager Marli Salmon. This provided a boost to Arsenal's defensive options, albeit amidst the broader injury concerns.
The victory propels Arsenal into the fifth round of the FA Cup, reigniting their ambitions in the competition. However, the fitness of Calafiori and White will be closely monitored in the coming days, as their availability could prove critical in Arsenal's pursuit of silverware across multiple fronts this season.
