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Arsenal fans will be in expectant mood when they take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
The Gunners have the chance to progress into the fifth round for the first time since 2020 and playing a team sunk into the League One relegation places is the ideal opportunity.
For Mikel Arteta, it’s a chance not only for him to look at some younger or fringe players but also see just how serious his whole squad is about winning every competition.
Predict the score of Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic and tell us who will win the Man of the Match award!
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Wigan, of course, will see it as a free hit and throw everything they can at getting one of the shock results of recent years.
Here, the Arsenal Insider have looked at THREE things we absolutely must see from the game.
A big performance from Eberechi Eze
There’s absolutely no questioning that Ebere Eze’s performances in recent months have tailed off.
Since his memorable hat-trick against Tottenham, Eze has stalled massively and he was once again hooked against Brentford as he continues to struggle.
However, this feels like the sort of game where Eze can really take a step forward. Playing lower league opposition should allow him to have plenty of the ball and influence things.
Mikel Arteta should use this as a chance for Eze to get back to his ways and rebuild confidence. If he can do that, then Arsenal have a player on their hands for the run-in who can seriously influence proceedings.
A statement win with goals
Too many times this season Arsenal have relied on their defensive strength to set the platform for a narrow win.
That’s all well and good and over the course of the season is probably going to see Arsenal to the league title.
However, Arsenal fans want to see goals and they want to see the Gunners turn what are often dominant performances with the ball into chances and goals.
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We might well see a weaker XI for this game but players like Eze, Jesus and Saka could all get big minutes.
It’s imperative they impress and do well and Arsenal need to be looking at a win of five goals or more to show that they can indeed turn on the style when they want.
A return for Max Dowman
News that Max Dowman is back in training is a big boost for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
Despite his tender years, there’s a feeling within the club that Dowman can play some sort of role between now and the end of the season. Indeed, Mikel Merino’s injury has only pushed Dowman further up the ladder.
If he is fit enough, then seeing Dowman take the stage in the FA Cup against a seasoned lower league side will do wonders for his progression.
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Arsenal fans, too, love seeing their own players involved in cup games like this and in Dowman, they know they’ve got a talent for the ages.
Hopefully, Dowman is fit enough to be involved.
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