Quick Read
- Arsenal defeated Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
- Goals were scored by Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, an own goal, and Gabriel Jesus, all in the first half.
- Wigan played under interim managers Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow following Ryan Lowe’s sacking.
- Bukayo Saka unexpectedly captained Arsenal after Riccardo Calafiori’s pre-match injury.
- Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since their 2019/20 winning campaign.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Arsenal secured a commanding 4-0 victory over League One strugglers Wigan Athletic at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, sealing their place in the FA Cup fifth round. The dominant performance offered a significant boost to the Gunners’ campaign, highlighting the stark contrast in fortunes between the two clubs, particularly for Wigan, who navigated the high-stakes match under interim management.
The win sees Arsenal progress in a competition they last won in the 2019/20 season, marking their first appearance in the fifth round since that triumphant campaign. For Wigan, currently battling relegation in League One, the FA Cup tie served as a temporary respite from their domestic struggles, albeit one that ended in a heavy defeat.
Early Goals Propel Gunners into Fifth Round
Arsenal wasted no time asserting their dominance, with all four goals coming in a blistering first-half display. Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 11th minute, expertly slotting home after a precise pass from Eberechi Eze. Just eight minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead, smashing home another assist from Eze, who was a pivotal creative force throughout the half.
The pressure continued to mount on Wigan, leading to an unfortunate own goal in the 23rd minute when a deflected effort found its way past goalkeeper Sam Tickle. Gabriel Jesus then capped off Arsenal’s explosive first-half performance, dinking the ball superbly over Tickle in the 27th minute to make it 4-0. The Gunners’ fluid attacking front, which saw Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli combine effectively, proved too much for the visitors.
Wigan’s Cup Run Amid Managerial Turmoil
Wigan Athletic entered the FA Cup fourth round tie in a precarious position, sitting 23rd in League One’s relegation zone. Their challenging season had led to the sacking of manager Ryan Lowe just a week prior, after an 11-month tenure that concluded with a seven-match winless run. Former Ireland international Glenn Whelan and veteran coach Graham Barrow took charge of the first team on an interim basis for the Arsenal clash, with Barrow noting to TNT that the club was in a ‘good place’ despite the recent changes.
Despite their league struggles, Wigan had enjoyed a spirited FA Cup journey, including a shock 1-0 victory over Championship play-off hopefuls Preston North End in the previous round. This ‘magic of the cup’ run provided a welcome distraction, with Barrow remarking that the competition offered a ‘relief from the league and the grind.’ Wigan has a storied FA Cup history, famously winning the trophy in 2013 and reaching the semi-finals in 2014, where they were eliminated by Arsenal on penalties.
Arsenal’s Squad Depth and Tactical Edge
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement for the FA Cup, emphasizing the club’s rich history in the competition. The match provided an opportunity for squad rotation, although an unexpected pre-match injury to Riccardo Calafiori saw Bukayo Saka elevated to the starting lineup and handed the captain’s armband. William Saliba also returned to the starting XI after missing the previous match with illness, while Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino remained sidelined with injuries.
Tactically, Arsenal dominated possession, as expected. Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme, highlighted Wigan’s tendency to be a low-possession team, averaging just 44.6% in League One, a figure that dropped to 30.5% in their third-round upset. Wigan’s interim management experimented with formations, but their typical focus on utilizing a dynamic right-hand side, led by Fraser Murray, was largely contained by Arsenal’s defense. The Gunners continued to demonstrate their prowess from set pieces, a key factor in their 4-1 third-round victory over Portsmouth.
This decisive victory was crucial for Arsenal, providing rhythm and confidence ahead of challenging league fixtures, while for Wigan, the FA Cup provided a temporary respite from their arduous league battle, offering a glimpse of past glory despite the result.