Arsenal turned the Emirates into a goal factory, ripping through Wigan Athletic with a blistering burst of attacking brilliance. Four goals in 17 first‑half minutes left the League One visitors reeling and Mikel Arteta’s side strolling into the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 4–0 victory.
Lightning Start Sets the Tone
The fireworks began early. Noni Madueke opened the scoring after 11 minutes, ghosting in from the right and finishing with ice in his veins. Seven minutes later Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead, and the rout was on. A freak own goal from Jack Hunt followed, and before the half‑hour mark Gabriel Jesus dinked home Arsenal’s fourth — a devastating sequence that turned the tie into a one‑sided showcase of speed, invention and ruthless finishing.
Eberechi Eze Pulls the Strings
Although Arteta rotated heavily, the creative heartbeat of the side remained intact. Eberechi Eze was the architect of the early carnage, threading a no‑look pass to Madueke for the opener and then finding Martinelli to make it 2–0. The midfielder’s vision and timing unlocked a stubborn Wigan defence and reminded everyone why he remains a key piece in Arsenal’s attacking puzzle.
Squad Depth on Display
Arteta made eight changes from the Brentford draw, yet still fielded a fearsome front five — Bukayo Saka, Eze, Madueke, Jesus and Martinelli — a testament to the club’s depth. Curtis Jones, deputising at right back, profited from a clever cross by Milos Kerkez to tap home and underline the team’s fluidity. Even with rotation, Arsenal’s intensity and cohesion felt like the work of a side built to compete on multiple fronts.
Wigan Fight But Can’t Stem the Tide
Wigan, struggling in League One and reeling from recent turmoil, showed spirit and had a couple of moments — Joe Taylor forced a fine save from Kepa Arrizabalaga — but the gulf in quality was clear. Substitute Viktor Gyökeres nearly added a fifth, rattling the post, while Eze smashed the side netting as Arsenal hunted more goals. In the end, the early blitz was enough to see the Gunners safely through.
What It Means for Arsenal
The win moves Arsenal into the FA Cup fifth round and keeps alive a tantalising run across competitions. With the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup still in play, this emphatic cup performance will buoy confidence as the calendar tightens. For now, the Emirates has a new memory to savour: a ruthless 30‑minute spell that announced Arsenal are not just contenders — they can explode into dominance at any moment.
