Arteta warns injury toll could threaten Arsenal’s title and cup ambitions

• Arsenal ease past Wigan 4-0 to reach FA Cup fifth round
• Arteta expresses concern over growing list of injuries
• Key players sidelined ahead of demanding run of fixtures

Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal’s growing injury problems could leave his side vulnerable as they chase major honours this season, despite a commanding 4-0 victory over Wigan that secured progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Gunners cruised through at the Emirates with four goals in a blistering 17-minute spell before half–time, as Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal from Jack Hunt effectively settled the tie. Yet the emphatic scoreline was tempered by fresh concerns over squad depth.

Riccardo Calafiori was ruled out after suffering an injury in the warm–up, while Ben White was forced off during the second half. Captain Martin Odegaard did not feature at all following a knock sustained in the 1-1 draw against Brentford on Thursday. Mikel Merino is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign after undergoing foot surgery.

Asked if he was worried by the mounting absences, Arteta said: “Yes. Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders and now it is the midfielders getting injured. We are coping with that, but we need some players back and fit, not only for numbers but different options. The quicker they are back the better.”

Arsenal, who sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League, now face a demanding sequence of fixtures, starting with a trip to Wolves on Wednesday before a pivotal north London derby away at Tottenham next weekend.

Despite the injury setbacks, Arteta was encouraged by the display of Eberechi Eze, who provided assists for the opening two goals. The forward has faced scrutiny over his form this season but delivered a creative and energetic performance.

“Those players need those moments,” Arteta said. “Especially the creative players. They need to feel they are producing. For the mood and confidence, it is a really good thing. The risks he took in the final third and the shots he tried to take were really positive. That is what we want from him.”

To their credit, Wigan avoided a heavier defeat after a difficult opening period, tightening up defensively and limiting Arsenal’s opportunities after the break. Assistant boss Graham Barrow acknowledged the challenge of facing elite opposition.

“It can happen,” he said. “Manchester City showed in the last round they can do it to anybody. City and Arsenal are the two teams you do not want to play. It was probably relief at the end that the players showed what they were about in the second half.”

Arsenal remain on course across multiple fronts, but Arteta’s warning underlined the fine margins that could define their season as the schedule intensifies.