Arsenal’s Dominant Performance Against Wigan Highlights Tactical Flexibility

omidbasir- Bukayo Saka initially started on the bench during Arsenal’s match against Wigan on Sunday but was swiftly integrated into the starting lineup after Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury during warm-ups. Mikel Arteta chose to deploy Saka as a No. 8, rather than his usual wide position. This tactical shift proved effective as Arsenal surged to a 4-0 lead within the first 30 minutes, with goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and an own goal by Jack Hunt.

After the match, Arteta expressed his satisfaction with both the result and the team’s performance. He remarked, “I am very happy with the results and especially the way we started the game. It is crucial to demonstrate our determination against this type of opposition in the cup, and we certainly showcased that attitude. I was pleasantly surprised by the cohesion and connections early in the match. With so many changes, such chemistry can sometimes be lacking, but it wasn’t the case for us, and we scored some excellent goals. I’m very pleased with that.”

Arteta elaborated on Saka’s new position in the post-match press conference, stating, “This is a possibility I wanted to explore, and we might utilize it moving forward. With numerous games and competitions ahead this season, this approach is certainly an option for us.

“Being more central positions him closer to the goal, making it more challenging for opponents to mark him consistently. He can also interchange with wide players and excels at finding space. When he operates in that area, he can significantly impact the game with the ball.”

The manager also praised summer signing Eberechi Eze, who contributed two assists and delivered a standout performance following a challenging period. Arteta noted, “He provided some superb passes and demonstrated a willingness to take risks in the final third, including multiple attempts on goal. These moments are essential for our creative players to regain their confidence, and I’m delighted with that. Gabi’s run, timing, and finish were all extremely positive, contributing to the overall morale and confidence of the team.”

Arsenal will learn their opponent for the fifth round of the cup on Monday during the draw. Following that, the team will refocus on their Premier League title challenge, preparing for an upcoming match against bottom-placed Wolves at Molineux.