Arsenal easily dispatched Wigan and progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a resounding 4-0 victory, continuing their quest for silver on all four fronts.
A shock start to the match quickly put an end to any fears of an upset, as Arsenal easily defeated their Ligue 1 opponents, scoring four goals in just 27 minutes.
Two great passes from Ebelesi Eze forced them to drop deeper and get on the ball, dictating the play before Noni Maduke and Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in powerful style.
Wigan defender Jack Hunt then headed home a third goal, but was caught flat-footed by a ball over the top from Christian Norgaard, leaving Gabriel Jesus in space to score the Gunners’ fourth goal.
Wigan Athletic’s Jack Hunt scores an own goal in a 3-0 win over Arsenal
Kepa Arrizabalaga had a quiet afternoon in goal but was called upon to keep a clean sheet, denying Joe Taylor’s shot from close range and Rafael Rodriguez’s shot from falling into the bottom corner of the goal.
Arsenal almost added a fifth goal when Victor Goqueres’ deflected shot hit the wooden frame, but in the end they outscored Wigan in the first 30 minutes and the job was already done.
Arsenal remain in all four competitions, with a draw held at Macclesfield’s host Brentford on Monday night to reveal their FA Cup fifth-round opponents, before they face Wolves in the Premier League live on Sky Sports two days later.
Madueke: Fans have every right to be excited about Quadruple Hope.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke told TNT Sports.
“They (the fans) have a right to be (excited) and we are working hard to deliver the season we think we should have with our current performance.
“That’s our main focus. It’s exciting, but we have to continue to do the right things every day and see where we end up.”
Noni Madueke celebrates opening game against Wigan
Arteta: Our intensity made the difference
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports.
“Very good. We made a lot of changes (eight men) and the players needed a few minutes. They started the game really well. They had a lot of pace, they moved very vertically, there were some great actions both collectively and individually, and they made a difference in the first half.”
“The intensity we had in the first few minutes, the intent as a team, the connection between players who had never played together before. It was really positive.”
Analysis: Arsenal played freely
Sky Sports News’ Gail Davies said this from Emirates Stadium.
“The game was decided within 30 minutes and there wasn’t a dustup. Exactly what I imagine Arteta would have wanted. He probably would have liked to have seen his team push a little more in the second half, with chances for Goqueres and Martinelli.”
“There was a faint smile on Arteta’s face as the final whistle rang. At this point in the season, we have a game against Wolves on Wednesday, so the job is done. He just hopes everyone in the squad, including Calafioli, who was injured in warm-up, is recovered and ready to go again.”
“It certainly looked like in the first half the players were playing with some freedom, without the pressure that can sometimes be stifling in this title race, but Wigan allowed that.
“This is the first time Arsenal have reached the fifth round since 2020 and the last time they lifted the trophy.”
‘Arsenal were relentless’
Wigan interim manager Graham Barrow told TNT Sport:
“We bounced back (from a 4-0 deficit) and that was the most important thing. They really have two teams in their team. I’m a little disappointed with the goal we conceded, but we were able to attack the same way to stop it.”
“I thought the players put in a great performance in the second half. In short, they gave it everything they had.
“Arsenal were relentless. It’s been a tough period so I’m really happy for the players. There were some positives and the players stuck together and that’s the most important thing.”
“We took the mentality from here and went from 4-0 down to a back four and tried something and it worked. I think we have enough to keep going and that’s the important thing.”
