Arsenal Cruise Past Wigan In 4-0 FA Cup Display | OneFootball

Arsenal 4-0 Wigan: FA Cup Progress Built On Ruthless Opening Surge

Arsenal’s return to the FA Cup fifth round arrived with authority, a performance shaped by early precision and sustained control. Against League One opposition in Wigan, Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a 4-0 victory defined less by tension and more by tempo, four goals inside 30 minutes setting the competitive tone.

For a club seeking silverware momentum, this was professional execution at its most efficient, blending rotation with rhythm while maintaining the standards expected of Premier League leaders.

Fast Start Sets Cup Platform

From the outset, Arsenal imposed technical superiority. Possession was purposeful rather than decorative, forward movement crisp rather than cautious.

The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute, sparked by Eberechi Eze’s vision near the halfway line. His defence splitting pass released Noni Madueke, who advanced with composure before finishing confidently beyond Sam Tickle.

Seven minutes later, the pattern repeated. Eze again operated as creative conduit, this time feeding Gabriel Martinelli, whose finish into the corner doubled the advantage.

Wigan’s defensive structure struggled to recalibrate under sustained pressure. Arsenal’s third came via misfortune for the visitors, Jack Hunt diverting into his own net following sharp combination play between Bukayo Saka and Madueke.

The fourth, delivered before the half hour mark, completed a devastating sequence. Christian Norgaard’s intelligent pass allowed Gabriel Jesus to lift a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper, sealing a 4-0 lead that effectively ended contest jeopardy.

Arsenal became the first Premier League side to score four goals within the opening half hour of an FA Cup tie, a statistic reflecting both attacking fluency and psychological authority.

Tactical Flexibility On Display

Arteta’s selection offered both necessity and experimentation. Bukayo Saka’s late inclusion followed Riccardo Calafiori’s withdrawal during the warm up, prompting positional adjustment.

Deployed in central midfield, Saka demonstrated spatial awareness and technical assurance, linking phases smoothly as Arsenal dictated tempo. His presence offered balance between creativity and ball progression, particularly valuable as he rebuilds match sharpness following a hip concern.

Alongside him, Norgaard’s composure ensured structural discipline, allowing attacking players to operate with freedom higher up the pitch.

Martinelli’s Cup Connection Continues

While Premier League output has fluctuated for Martinelli this season, cup competitions have provided fertile ground.

His goal against Wigan extended a striking pattern. The Brazilian has now scored 10 times across European and domestic cup fixtures this campaign, underlining his capacity to deliver in knockout environments.

That milestone carries historical resonance. Martinelli becomes the first Arsenal player since Ian Wright in 1994 to 1995 to surpass 10 goals across cup and European competitions in a single season.

Squad Depth And Youth Pathways

With progression secured early, Arteta used the second half to broaden involvement. Youth integration formed part of the afternoon narrative, 16 year old defender Marli Salmon making his home debut after replacing William Saliba.

Goalkeeper Tommy Setford, aged 19, also stepped onto the Emirates turf, offering supporters a glimpse of future depth.

Eberechi Eze’s afternoon carried restorative value. Substituted at half time during the Brentford draw days earlier, he responded with two assists that reaffirmed creative importance within the squad ecosystem.

Wigan did threaten a consolation, Joe Taylor forcing an excellent save from Kepa Arrizabalaga, while substitute Viktor Gyokeres struck the post at the opposite end. Yet the result itself never drifted from Arsenal’s control.

Cup Momentum Building

Reaching the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2020 reconnects Arsenal with a competition that has historically shaped their modern identity.

That triumph six years ago marked Arteta’s first trophy in charge. Now, still active across four competitions, Arsenal continue to pursue tangible reward after an extended wait for silverware.

Performances of this clarity, decisive early scoring, squad rotation without disruption, youth exposure without risk, reinforce belief that cup progression can accompany league ambition.