LONDON, United Kingdom — Arsenal Football Club delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, securing a decisive 4-0 victory over third-tier Wigan Athletic to advance to the FA Cup’s fifth round for the first time in six years. The emphatic win at Emirates Stadium reinforces the club’s ambitious pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple trophy haul this season.
Under manager Mikel Arteta’s direction, the Gunners established an insurmountable lead within the first 27 minutes of the fourth-round encounter. The scoring commenced with Noni Madueke finding the net, followed by a clinical finish from Gabriel Martinelli. Wigan’s defensive woes compounded when Jack Hunt inadvertently headed the ball into his own net, before Gabriel Jesus completed the dominant display with a expertly chipped effort over goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
This victory marks Arsenal’s return to the competition’s last sixteen since their 2020 FA Cup triumph, which remains the sole major honor of Arteta’s tenure. Currently leading the Premier League by four points, scheduled for a League Cup final against Manchester City, and having progressed to the Champions League knockout stages, Arsenal are positioned to potentially end their prolonged silverware drought across multiple competitions.
Arteta praised his squad’s intensity following several strategic lineup changes: ‘We demonstrated exceptional connection and threat, particularly in the first half which ultimately decided the match.’
The encounter contrasted sharply with the clubs’ dramatic 2014 FA Cup semifinal, which featured a penalty shootout goal from then-captain Arteta. Wigan arrived in North London amid significant organizational challenges, sitting in the League One relegation zone under interim management following Ryan Lowe’s recent dismissal.
Arsenal adapted to a pre-match setback when defender Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury during warm-ups, prompting Arteta to reinstate Bukayo Saka rather than resting the England international.
In parallel FA Cup action, Leeds United advanced via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City, while Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a 1-0 victory at fourth-division Grimsby Town. Fulham and Sunderland also progressed with respective wins against Stoke City and Oxford United.