WIGAN Vs ARSENAL: All The Team News And Stats For The FA Cup Semi-Final
Ahead of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Wigan holding at the Wembley Stadium, here are all the team news and statistics you need to know before the crucial match gets under-way.
Arsenal team news:
Arsenal will hand fitness tests to midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh) as well as full-back Kieran Gibbs (ankle).
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini is suspended, so fit-again Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey is expected to start and as in previous rounds Lukas Fabianski will play in goal ahead of regular number one Wojciech Szczesny.
Centre-half Laurent Koscielny (calf), midfielder Serge Gnabry (knee), Germany international Mesut Ozil (hamstring), England midfielder Jack Wilshere (foot) are all still recovering, as are Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott (both knee).
*Action from a recent match between Arsenal and Wigan
Provisional Squad: Fabianski, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Giroud, Szczesny, Podolski, Monreal, Sanogo, Kallstrom, Jenkinson, Bellerin.
Wigan team news:
Wigan coach, Uwe Rosler faces a decision over who to select as his goalkeeper for their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley.
Scott Carson was recalled in the midweek loss to Millwall and started in the quarter-final win over Manchester City, but is not certain of getting the nod ahead of Rosler's usual first choice, Ali Al Habsi.
The Latics manager remains without Ben Watson (broken leg), Chris McCann (knee) and Roger Espinoza (hernia), while Rob Kiernan and Martyn Waghorn are both cup-tied. However, loanees Nicky Maynard, Josh McEachran, Nick Powell and Jack Collison are all eligible for the holders.
Rosler rested James Perch on Tuesday - another yellow card for him would have triggered a suspension, and the full-back, along with the likes of Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez, are likely to come back in.
Provisional squad: Al Habsi, Carson, Nicholls, Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Ramis, Crainey, Rogne, Caldwell, Collison, Gomez, McArthur, Tunnicliffe, Beausejour, Maloney, McManaman, McClean, McEachran, Powell, Maynard, Fortune.
Big match stats:
Arsenal have never met Wigan before in the FA Cup. The overall head to head record is played 20, Arsenal wins 15, Wigan wins three and draws two.
The last time Arsenal met Wigan was in May 2013 just after their FA Cup final win over Man City. The Latics were relegated after losing 1-4.
Olivier Giroud has scored five goals in his last five FA Cup games, including three in three substitute appearances this season.
Lukas Podolski has scored four goals in four FA Cup games.
Mikel Arteta has scored four goals against Wigan in the Premier League; only against Blackburn (6) has he been more prolific.
Thomas Vermaelen has scored four goals in his last four starts against Wigan.
Arsenal have lost both previous matches they have played at the new Wembley Stadium by a 1-2 scoreline, to Chelsea in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final and to Birmingham in the 2011 League Cup final.
Wigan have won both FA Cup matches they have played at the new Wembley without conceding - last year’s semi-final and final.
Wigan are unbeaten in their last 12 FA Cup matches, winning 10 and drawing two.
Jordi Gomez has five goals and five assists in his last 10 FA Cup starts.
On four of the last five occasions that Sheffield United have made the FA Cup semi-final, Arsenal have gone on to win the FA Cup (1936, 1993, 1998 & 2003), including the last three in a row. In the other (1961) the team that won it was also from north London, Tottenham).
Source: Legit.ng
