The 7 players set to miss Arsenal v Wigan Athletic ft Kai Havertz | OneFootball

Some big names are set to miss Wigan's trip to Arsenal on Sunday

League One strugglers Wigan Athletic travel to the English capital to take on Premier League title-chasers Arsenal on Sunday, with the Latics hoping to cause a major upset.

It’s been two very different seasons for fans of Arsenal and Wigan Athletic.

Although the Gunners could only draw away to Brentford in their last league game, Mikel Arteta’s side remain outright favourites to go on and win their first top-flight title in 22 years, whilst they still have the chance to win each of the League Cup and Champions League as things stand.

Wigan, on the other hand, sit in the relegation zone in the third tier, with the very real possibility of dropping into the fourth tier next campaign should things not improve.

Ryan Lowe was dismissed from his role as the Latics boss following the 6-1 defeat away to Peterborough United, meaning former Stoke City and Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan will be leading Wigan out on to the Emirates pitch at the weekend on an interim basis, as their hunt for a replacement goes on.

Numerous players from both sides are set to miss this fixture, as FLW takes a look at the team news for Sunday’s game in the north of the capital.

7 ? ? Mikel Merino

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino is set to miss the rest of the season, which is a huge blow for Arteta’s side.

The 29-year-old has played a crucial role for the Gunners in each of the last couple of seasons since arriving from Real Sociedad, and will be without his presence for Sunday’s clash against Wigan.

He underwent surgery on a fractured foot he sustained earlier this week, as the Gunners will have to make do without their makeshift centre-forward.

6 ? ? Martin Odegaard

Norwegian attacking-midfielder Martin Odegaard has suffered a frustrating season blighted by injuries, and seems to have piled on the misery after taking a knock in the Gunners’ draw away to Brentford on Thursday night.

The 27-year-old has started just half of Arsenal’s league games this season, and although he will likely play no part in the Wigan fixture, Arteta will be hoping to have him back fit and firing sooner rather than later.

5 ? ? Max Dowman

Highly regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the country, Max Dowman became Arsenal’s second-youngest player ever in the Premier League when he made his debut at 15 years and 234 days, behind only Ethan Nwaneri.

The teenage hotshot almost certainly would have featured in this fixture, though an ankle injury has stalled his campaign, and whilst he is not expected to miss the rest of the season, he will be absent for this one.

4 ? ? Kai Havertz

German attacking-midfielder Kai Havertz had recently returned from action after about five months out with a knee problem, but looks set to miss at least the next four matches with a fresh muscle injury.

The 26-year-old missed Arsenal’s trip to Brentford on Thursday night and will be missing their home clash against Wigan in the cup.

3 ? ? Baba Adeeko

Irish defensive-midfielder Baba Adeeko has emerged as a regular in the Latics’ side for each of the past two campaigns, but this year, the 22-year-old’s game time has taken a significant hit.

A hamstring injury earlier this season has meant he hasn’t been included in a matchday squad since September, and it looks highly unlikely to make the cut ahead of Sunday’s game.

2 ? ? Luke Robinson

Former Scottish youth international defender Luke Robinson looks set to miss this fixture, having been out of action since mid-December 2025.

A Wigan youth academy graduate, Robinson had made nine league appearances this season before his injury, though, regardless, it’s doubtful he will be too big a miss for Whelan’s side.

1 ? ? Harry McHugh

23-year-old Harry McHugh has failed to make a single league appearance for Wigan this season, with a solitary cameo in the League Cup being all to shout about for the midfielder.

He underwent ankle surgery earlier this campaign, but has yet to make his return, with it being highly doubtful that this of all games will be the time when he is set to come back into the side.