{"id":471308,"date":"2026-02-16T04:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T04:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471308\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T04:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T04:12:12","slug":"alan-pardew-names-team-that-could-thwart-arsenals-quadruple-hopes-after-wigan-victory-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471308\/","title":{"rendered":"Alan Pardew names team that could thwart Arsenal’s quadruple hopes after Wigan victory | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Brentford
\n\t\tArsenal are still challenging on all four fronts after a comfortable win over Wigan in the FA Cup (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Alan Pardew praised Mikel Arteta<\/a> for keeping Arsenal<\/a> \u2018focussed\u2019 on all four fronts after the side\u2019s 4-0 victory over Wigan<\/a> \u2013 but refused to back down on his prediction that Liverpool will win the Champions League.<\/p>\n

The Gunners produced an emphatic response after their disappointing 1-1 draw with Brentford<\/a> in the league on Thursday night, putting Wigan to the sword to safely secure their spot in the FA Cup fifth round.<\/p>\n

After being hauled off at half-time at Brentford, an inspired Eberechi Eze assisted both Madueke and Martinelli at the Emirates, before Jack Hunt headed the ball into his own net inside only 23 minutes.<\/p>\n

Gabriel Jesus finished coolly to put the home team well and truly out of sight on the half-hour mark and Arteta\u2019s men managed to hold firm in what was a repeat of the sides\u2019 2014 FA Cup semi-final.<\/p>\n

Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White<\/a> \u2013 and uncertainty surrounding the fitness of club captain Martin Odegaard \u2013 took some of the gloss off an otherwise perfect performance for the Premier League leaders.<\/p>\n

Arteta\u2019s side will discover their opponents for the fifth round of this year\u2019s competition on Monday evening ahead of Macclesfield\u2019s fourth-round tie with Brentford. <\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m very happy with the result and especially with the performance,\u2019 Arteta said of his team\u2019s thumping defeat of Wigan.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tThe Gunners put on a clinic in a first-half masterclass at home to Wigan (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FBL-ENG-FACUP-ARSENAL-WIGAN\"
\n\t\tArteta\u2019s men will learn their fifth-round opponents on Monday (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018The way we started the game\u2026 you really want to show how much you want it when you play against this type of opposition in the cup and we certainly had that attitude.<\/p>\n

\u2018I was a little surprised with the level of cohesion and connection very early in the match because, when you make that many changes, that can be a part of the game that is lacking.<\/p>\n

\u2018But it certainly wasn\u2019t and we scored some very, very good goals so I\u2019m very pleased with that.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dutch
\n\t\tPardew is backing Liverpool to win this year\u2019s Champions League (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

The comprehensive four-goal victory means Arsenal remain in the hunt in all four competitions this season, with Arteta\u2019s men sat top of the Premier League and still alive in the Carabao Cup, the Champions League and the FA Cup.<\/p>\n

A perfect record of eight wins from eight saw Arsenal breeze through in some style as the Champions League group-stage leaders.<\/p>\n

Having clinched top spot, the Gunners will do battle against one of Borussia Dortmund, Olympiakos, Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Liverpool
\n\t\tSlot\u2019s side finished third in the Champions League group stage (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

But when asked about Arsenal\u2019s hopes of winning Europe\u2019s premier competition, ex-Crystal Palace and Newcastle boss Pardew told talkSPORT<\/a>: \u2018I\u2019m still going to stand by my backing that Liverpool<\/a> are going to win the Champions League<\/a>, which I said on this show a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s because, and this is the reason, you have too many winners in that Liverpool dressing room who will focus very much on winning the Champions League.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s good for their CV, good for their contract negotiations, etcetera, so Liverpool, all in, Champions League.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Southampton
\n\t\tThe ex-Newcastle manager has been massively impressed by Arsenal this season (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Liverpool sailed through to the Champions League knockout phase after winning seven and losing just one of their eight group-stage matches.<\/p>\n

The impressive run ensured the Merseyside giants are seeded and will face one of Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus in the next round.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think Liverpool are a great team, there\u2019s no doubt about that,\u2019 Pardew continued on Arne Slot\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u2018Look at Spurs<\/a>, when they went into the Europa League<\/a>. Their focus was very much on that.<\/p>\n

\u2018Unfortunately, it cost Tottenham their focus in the league and they were getting turned over most weeks.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tEze registered two assists in an impressive display against Wigan (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Despite backing Liverpool for glory in Europe, Pardew believes Arteta deserves great credit for the work he has done with his Arsenal squad this season.<\/p>\n

\u2018What Arteta\u2019s done really well is he\u2019s kept the focus of the team for every competition,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s not easy, particularly when the team is trying to win the Premier League<\/a> for a fair number of years so fair play to him.<\/p>\n

\u2018And again, today, he\u2019s done the job again. He\u2019s put a team out that was strong and fair play to him, he\u2019s got another great victory.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to Pardew, the difference between Arsenal and Wigan just showed the \u2018jump\u2019 in quality when comparing the Premier League\u2019s best and those competing lower down in the English football pyramid.<\/p>\n

\u2018Sometimes you can put a team together and the attributes of the team make up for all the individuals the opposition have,\u2019 he concluded.<\/p>\n

\u2018Sometimes that does occur, but it\u2019s a hell of a jump these days from League One to the Premier League.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow
\nMORE: \u2018That\u2019s a possibility\u2019 \u2013 Mikel Arteta hints at new role for key Arsenal star after Wigan win<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Ex-Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe to appear in court after airport arrest<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: \u2018He is special\u2019 \u2013 Matheus Cunha praises Manchester United over \u00a365m signing<\/a><\/p>\n


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