Arsenal advanced into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years as the quadruple chasers crushed Wigan 4-0 on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed the third-tier strugglers with four goals in the first 27 minutes of the fourth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scored before Jack Hunt’s own goal was followed by a Gabriel Jesus strike.
The current Premier League toppers are back in the last 16 for the first time since they won the FA Cup in 2020, a success that remains the only major trophy of Arteta’s reign.
“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.
Arsenal’s recent FA Cup match against Wigan lacked the drama of their previous semi-final win in 2014, which featured a penalty shoot-out goal from then-Gunners captain Arteta.
Wigan is currently in the League One relegation zone and led by interim manager Glenn Whelan after Ryan Lowe’s sacking.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the pre-match warm-up, forcing Arteta to bring back Bukayo Saka.
Arteta gave Eberechi Eze another start despite taking the England midfielder out at halftime after his latest poor performance in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Eze repaid Arteta’s faith by brilliantly creating space for a great cross to Madueke, who sprinted into the Wigan area and finished confidently.
Eze, who signed from Crystal Palace last year, added another assist in the 18th minute.
He sent a precise pass to Martinelli, who finished coolly from 12 yards out.
Arsenal’s third goal came in the 23rd minute, when Wigan defender Hunt headed Saka’s cross into his own goal.
Arteta’s troops showed no compassion in the 27th minute, when Christian Norgaard’s ball put Jesus clear through for a clever chip over Wigan keeper Sam Tickle.
Arsenal’s pursuit of their first English crown since 2004 will begin on Wednesday when they face Wolves at the bottom of the table.
