Arsenal cruise to victory over Wigan in FA Cup
Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 4-0 win over League One side Wigan at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The Premier League leaders set the tone early, netting all four goals before the half-hour mark. Noni Madueke ignited the scoring just 10 minutes in, curling a shot home after collecting a superb through ball from Eberechi Eze.
Gabriel Martinelli soon doubled the lead with a composed finish into the far corner, before an own goal by Wigan’s Jack Hunt added a third. Gabriel Jesus completed the rout with a deft chip over goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
Mikel Arteta faced disruption ahead of kick-off when Riccardo Calafiori had to withdraw from the starting eleven. The Italian defender’s late absence prompted a tactical reshuffle, with Bukayo Saka stepping in and taking on the captaincy as a midfielder.
The Gunners displayed their dominance throughout the match, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. They recorded nine shots to Wigan’s two in the opening half while enjoying 71 percent of the ball. Wigan’s supporters, hoping to uplift their team, chanted “Olé!” with each completed pass, yet their side struggled to establish a foothold against Arsenal’s aggressive pressing.
After the initial goals, Wigan adapted their formation to a back four, which improved their organization but could not erase the damage already inflicted. Arsenal’s swift and clinical approach proved too much for a team battling relegation.
Following this victory, Arsenal will feature in Monday night’s fifth round draw with hopes of continuing their pursuit of silverware across four competitions this season. For Wigan, the focus shifts back to escaping the relegation zone as they seek a permanent manager following Ryan Lowe’s departure.
This FA Cup match, played without VAR as per competition standards, witnessed a brief two minutes of added time for each half. Arsenal also saw 16-year-old academy prospect Salmon make a late appearance as a substitute.
As Arsenal continues to dominate the competition, it serves as a poignant reminder of the disparities in football, where even a momentary lapse can significantly affect fortunes, revealing the fine line between triumph and despair in the sport.
