Arteta worried for Arsenal squad after more injuries

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta admitted he fears his squad will be overloaded after their 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic was somewhat marred by injuries.

Unsurprisingly, the Gunners produced a dominant performance against the League One strugglers to progress to the fifth round as Premier League leaders continue to compete on four fronts.

Despite losing Riccardo Calafiori to injury in the warm-up, Arsenal became the first Premier League team to score four goals in the first 30 minutes of an FA Cup tie as they put the Latics to the sword to keep their quadruple hopes alive.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead seven minutes later. Jack Hunt's own goal put to bed any hint of a comeback, and it was 4-0 in the 27th minute after Gabriel Jesus' composed finish.

Yet the injuries were even more of a concern when Calafiori defender Ben White was forced off late.

Arsenal were without captain Martin Odegaard following a knock he suffered during the 1-1 draw against Brentford on Thursday. Kai Havertz faces another spell out with a muscle injury, while Mikel Merino is out for the season following foot surgery.

And, as Arsenal face Wolves and Tottenham in the Premier League this week, Arteta has expressed concern about how his squad are being tested by injuries.

Asked if he was concerned about the small size of his squad, Arteta replied: “Yes. Before it was the attackers, then the defenders, now it's the midfielders. But we're still dealing with that, but we need some players back and fit to give us not only numbers but different options to the opponents we have, so the sooner the better.”

Back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also came off late, but there appeared to be no concerns around the Spaniard.

Regarding the injuries his team suffered against Wigan, Arteta replied: “Him [Calafiori] and Ben are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours how things develop.

“Martin, we'll have to wait and see. He chose that shot on the play when we conceded the goal. [at Brentford] and he was not fit for today.

Arsenal boss praises Eze

Perhaps the biggest positive for Arsenal from a professional performance was the performance of Eberechi Eze.

Eze, who has had a difficult start to 2026, ended a 15-game goalless streak by providing the assists for Arsenal's first two goals. He played a superb through ball for Madueke's opener, and another brilliantly judged pass launched Martinelli.

The former Crystal Palace man hit the side netting in the second half and forced Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle into a strong second-half save.

Arteta said of Eze: “Great goals and his intentions, I think the risk he took in the final third, the number of shots he tried to take as well, I think it's really positive. That's what I expect from him.

“These players need these moments and especially when we talk about the creative players, they need to feel that they are producing these moments and I am very happy with that.

“I'm also very happy with Gabi, the race he did, the timing and the finish in action, really very positive. So it's good for the mood, for the confidence, it's a very good thing.”

Asked if Eze could have a bigger role to play with Odegaard's injury, Arteta replied: “Yes, he already plays a big role. He has played a lot of games for us and he will continue to do so.”