Arsenal dismantled all fears of an upset with a commanding FA Cup victory, reaffirming their status as one of England’s elite clubs. In the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Gunners defeated Wigan Athletic 4–0 at the Emirates, keeping their hopes alive across all competitions this season.
From the outset, Arsenal displayed ruthless efficiency. Within the first 27 minutes, the Premier League giants effectively settled the contest, netting four goals in just 16 minutes. Their clinical attack left the League One opponents’ defence in disarray, demonstrating a combination of precision passing and clinical finishing that few teams at any level can match.
Remarkably, Arsenal became the first Premier League club since the 1992–93 season to score four goals in the first 30 minutes of an FA Cup match. No other top-flight English club has managed such a feat in the last 34 years, underlining the historical significance of this performance.
Midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga orchestrated the early dominance with two perfectly weighted passes, leading directly to the opening two goals. Finishing with composure, Nicolas Pépé and Gabriel Martinelli put their names on the scoresheet, rewarding Arsenal’s fluid attacking play.
The third goal arrived through misfortune for Wigan, as a header from their own defender Jack Hunt deflected into the net. Shortly thereafter, Gabriel Jesus, capitalising on a loose ball from Christian Nørgaard, extended the lead to 4–0, sealing the emphatic victory.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga enjoyed a relatively straightforward day, though he did make two crucial saves to maintain a clean sheet, denying Joe Taylor and Rafael Rodriguez from close range and corner situations. After the break, Arsenal came close to adding another goal, with Víctor Gyökeres’ shot rattling the bar, but the score remained unchanged. The first-half dominance ensured that Mikel Arteta’s side maintained control throughout the encounter.
Arsenal now await their fifth-round FA Cup opponents, which will be determined on Monday evening.
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic: Key Facts
| Statistic | Arsenal | Wigan Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 4 | 0 |
| Goals in First 16 Minutes | 4 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 2 |
| Possession | 64% | 36% |
| Key Contributors | Pépé, Martinelli, Jesus | Hunt (own goal) |
This historic performance reinforces Arsenal’s ambition for silverware this season, while also highlighting their capacity for explosive attacking football that can overwhelm even determined lower-league opponents.
