Arsenal F.C. storm into the FA Cup fifth round with emphatic win over Wigan Athletic F.C.

LONDON: Quadruple-chasing Arsenal powered into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in six years after dismantling Wigan Athletic 4-0 in a one-sided fourth-round clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s men blew away their third-tier opponents with a ruthless first-half display, scoring four goals inside the opening 27 minutes to effectively end the contest before halftime.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage moments later. Wigan’s misery deepened when defender Jack Hunt inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, and Gabriel Jesus completed the blistering start with Arsenal’s fourth goal.

The Gunners are back in the FA Cup last 16 for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2020 — still the only major silverware secured during Arteta’s tenure.

Currently holding a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, through to the League Cup final against Manchester City F.C., and into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal remain firmly in contention for a historic quadruple this season.

“We made a lot of changes because of players who needed minutes. The intensity that we showed, the connections between players and the threat we had, I’m very pleased. The first-half made a difference, obviously,” Arteta said after the match.

The fixture lacked the drama of Arsenal’s memorable FA Cup semi-final win over Wigan in 2014, when then-captain Arteta converted in a penalty shoot-out to send the Gunners to the final.

Wigan, currently struggling in the League One relegation zone, arrived in north London under interim boss Glenn Whelan following the recent dismissal of Ryan Lowe. The gulf in class between the sides was evident from the outset.

Arsenal were dealt a setback before kickoff when defender Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury in the warm-up, prompting Arteta to reintroduce Bukayo Saka into the starting lineup instead of resting the England winger.

Despite the comfortable victory, Arteta voiced concerns about a growing injury list that could hinder Arsenal’s silverware ambitions. Germany forward Kai Havertz is expected to miss the remainder of the month, while Spain midfielder Mikel Merino faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing foot surgery.

“Yes. Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders and now it is the midfielders,” Arteta said. “We are coping with that. But we need some players back and fit, not only for numbers but different options in relation to the opponents we have, so the quicker they are back the better.”

For now, however, Arsenal’s relentless form continues to fuel belief that a remarkable season could yet end with multiple trophies in north London.