Arsenal FA Cup rout sees Mikel Arteta’s side crush Wigan 4-0 to reach the fifth round for the first time since 2020
Arsenal powered into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years after a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Wigan Athletic in their fourth round tie at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
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Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a devastating first-half performance, scoring four times in the opening 27 minutes to seal the Arsenal FA Cup rout and extinguish any hopes of an upset.
Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 11th minute after latching onto a precise through ball from Eberechi Eze.
Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage seven minutes later with a composed finish into the far corner.
Arsenal’s third goal arrived when Wigan defender Jack Hunt headed Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net.
Gabriel Jesus added the fourth in the 27th minute, delicately chipping goalkeeper Sam Tickle after being sent clean through.
The victory sent Arsenal into the last 16 for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2020, which remains the only major silverware of Arteta’s tenure.
Arsenal currently hold a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, have reached the League Cup final against Manchester City and are through to the Champions League last 16.
The commanding display against Wigan strengthened talk of an ambitious quadruple bid.
Arteta said the intensity and cohesion of the team made the difference.
The Spaniard noted that several players needed minutes and praised the sharp connections shown in the first half.
Arsenal were forced into a late reshuffle when Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury in the warm-up.
Bukayo Saka returned to the starting line-up despite plans to rest the England winger.
Eberechi Eze, retained in the starting eleven after a mixed display in the midweek draw at Brentford, justified Arteta’s faith with two assists in a standout showing.
Wigan, battling relegation in League One under interim manager Glenn Whelan, struggled to contain Arsenal’s relentless tempo.
Elsewhere, Leeds United edged Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.
Wolves avoided a shock with a 1-0 win at Grimsby Town, while Fulham came from behind to defeat Stoke City 2-1. Sunderland secured a 1-0 victory at Oxford United.
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Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign on Wednesday with a trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers as the title race intensifies.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
