Gunners cruise past Wigan and into the FA Cup fifth round | OneFootball

A blistering opening to the game ensured Arsenal had an easy evening at home to Wigan Athletic to book their place into the next round of the FA Cup.

Arsenal were always expected to easily defeat a Wigan team that has lost five of its last six games since defeating Preston North End to make it to this stage of the FA Cup. That run included a bruising defeat to local rivals Bolton Wanderers and 6-1 hammering by Peterborough United.

The Gunners meanwhile looked like they wanted to take their frustrations of dropping points away to Brentford against the team currently 22nd in League One.

By the 27th minute it was 4-0, Wigan couldn't cope and everything Arsenal seemed to do resulted in a goal. It took just 11 minutes for Noni Madueke to open the scoring after he was found by Eberechi Eze.

Eze then earned another assist as he slipped a smart pass through the Latics defence for Gabriel Martinelli who made no mistake against Sam Tickle.

There was some fortune about the Gunners' third in the 27th minute after good play from Madueke and Bukayo Saka down the right ended up with Jack Hunt putting the ball in his own net.

The fourth came from a lovely ball over the top of the defence from Christian Norgaard with Gabriel Jesus running on to it and scooping it over the goalkeeper.

At that point Wigan might have been worried that this game could end up in double figures with Matt Smith brought on for Hunt with a half hour gone.

Fortunately for the visitors, they finally grew into the game while it seemed like the Premier League leaders decided to show them mercy with the progression to the fifth round essentially assured in record time.

Mikel Arteta was able to rest Bukayo Saka at half-time with Viktor Gyökeres coming on in his place and hitting the post in the 55th minute. The Swede no doubt saw this as a perfect time to add to his goal tally this season.

The Arsenal manager was also able to give more senior minutes to 16-year-old Marli Salmon as well as a late cameo for 19-year-old Tommy Setford to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.

In the end it was an easy day at the office for Arsenal who were able to enjoy the final hour of the game. Wigan meanwhile will be relieved that the score was only 4-0.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

8':

Missed opportunity! Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it sails just over the bar. The chance was set up by Bukayo Saka after a corner kick.

Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Wigan Athletic. Noni Madueke scores with a left-footed shot from the heart of the penalty area.

11':

GOAL Arsenal: Noni Madueke (Arsenal) scores!

Noni Madueke scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches) Noni Madueke scores goal number 5 for his team (25 matches)

Arsenal leads Wigan Athletic 2-0. Gabriel Martinelli scores with a left-footed strike from the left side of the penalty area.

18':

GOAL Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) scores!

Gabriel Martinelli scores goal number 4 in the competition (2 matches) Gabriel Martinelli scores goal number 62 for his team (258 matches)

23':

GOAL Wigan Athletic: Jack Hunt (Wigan Athletic) socres an own goal!

Arsenal leads Wigan Athletic 4-0. Gabriel Jesus scores with a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the top left corner of the net. The assist came from Christian Nørgaard, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.Arsenal leads Wigan Athletic 4-0. Gabriel Jesus scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the top left corner. The assist comes from Christian Nørgaard, who played a perfectly timed through ball.

27':

GOAL Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) scores!

Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches) Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 31 for his team (113 matches)

61':

Missed opportunity. Eberechi Eze of Arsenal took a left-footed shot from a challenging position on the left side.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match