Arsenal & Gunners loanee learn FA Cup draws

Arsenal have learned their FA Cup opponents for the fourth round, as has their only remaining loanee left in the competition.

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park on January 11, 2026 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

After eliminating Portsmouth in the third round over the weekend, Arsenal progressed to the next stage of the FA Cup ahead of Monday night’s draw.

That draw has now been held, with Arsenal receiving a home tie against Wigan Athletic. The game is due to take place during the weekend of Saturday, February 14th, but the exact schedule will only be confirmed after talks with clubs, broadcast partners, and local authorities.

Arsenal will hope the game is played on the Sunday, as they already have a Premier League match scheduled against Brentford on Thursday, February 12th.

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park on January 11, 2026 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Arsenal are currently set to have the subsequent midweek free as their first-place Champions League position puts them in line to skip the knockout phase play-offs.

Assuming that’s the case, the Gunners should have a week’s break before facing Tottenham Hotspur on February 22nd.

By contrast, Spurs look likely to be involved in those Champions League play-off matches, but they’ve been eliminated from the FA Cup, so they’ll also only have one match in the week building up to the derby.

GRIMSBY, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Brentford (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Grimsby Town and Brentford at Blundell Park on October 28, 2025. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Arsenal currently have players out on loan at Braintree Town, Crawley Town, Nottingham Forest, and Shrewsbury Town, but all four clubs have already been eliminated from the FA Cup.

As a result, the only Arsenal loanee left in the competition is Reiss Nelson with Brentford, and the team received an intriguing draw away to non-league Macclesfield Town.

On the surface, you’d expect that to be a straightforward victory. But Macclesfield have already knocked out FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, so Brentford would be foolish to take their upcoming opponents lightly.

FA Cup fourth round draw in full

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
Stoke City v Fulham
Oxford United v Sunderland
Southampton v Leicester City
Wrexham v Ipswich Town
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Chelsea
Burton Albion v West Ham United
Burnley v Mansfield Town
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Port Vale v Bristol City
Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Manchester City v Salford City or Swindon Town
Macclesfield v Brentford
Birmingham City v Leeds United