FA CUP

ARSENAL 4 (Madueke 11, Martinelli 18, Hunt og 23, Jesus 27)

WIGAN 0 

A SUPER-strong line-up ended any chance of a cup upset with a fifteen-minute first-half blitz.

Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabi Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and another own goal brutally exposed the gigantic gap between the Premier League leaders and League One’s relegation zone.

Eberechi Eze picked out well timed passes to set up the opening two goals.

There was a lot of space for him to run the ball into and the Wigan backline were struggling to cope with the movement of Arsenal’s well drilled attack.

After the match, Arteta said: “That’s what he does, players need those moments and when we talk about those creative players they need to feel they are producing in those moments.”

Defender Hunt nodded-into his own net when trying to divert a cross over the bar, after good work from Bukayo Saka.

Saka had not been in the first team sheet, but was brought on after Ricardo Calafiori injured in the warm up.

He played the first half in the Martin Odegaard free roam role – in what was an interesting experiment until he was subbed off at half time.

Odegaard was not in the squad with Arteta later revealing he had picked up a “knock” in the Brentford game.

The Saka switch saw Lewis-Skelly returned to left back, having initially been picked for an attacking role – something he looks more suited to.

Arteta said: “That was another learning moment and in that moment he had to be ready.

“You need to understand the position, the needs of the team and I think Myles had a really good game.”

He did pick up a yellow card however and looked a little rash in some of his challenges.

Gabriel Jesus finished well after being set through on goal by Christian Norgaard.

There was a first team home debut for Marli Salmon, a sixteen year old centre back who replaced William Saliba with half an hour to play.

He played well although was rarely tested, and won a big cheer after some clever footwork in a tight spot.

Compared to Arsenal’s giants in defence, the Woodford-born kid cuts lean figure and will surely need to bulk up if he is going to make it in the first team.

Tommy Setford also got a home debut of sorts in goal, coming on for Kepa on 87 minutes – winning a big cheer after catching a dangerous cross.

But in the main this match was a waste of everyone’s time – and money.

Not least the thousands of the fans of Wigan who travelled down from Lancashire to watch their side get smashed to bits.

“It’s only four nil, you must be shit,” they sang.

But there was little atmosphere from either sets of fans today.

No goals followed the opening surge and this was not altogether to do with Arsenal taking their foot off the gas.

Viktor Gyokeres hit the post flat on with a good strike.

But there were many missed chances and at times over passing.

But it was a welcome easy and stress free weekend for Arsenal, who have not been past the fifth round since 2020 in this competition that they dominated for many years under Wenger.

The draw is tomorrow (Monday) and the Gunners travel to Wolves on Wednesday hoping to stretch their lead to seven points in the Premier League.

Arsenal: Kepa (Setford 87), White (Zubimendi 79), Saliba (Salmon 61), Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Nørgaard, Eze; Madueke (Trossard 62), Jesus, Martinelli , Saka (Gyokeres 46)
Subs unused: Rice, Hincapie, Gabriel

Wigan: Tickle, Aimson, Kerr (Sessegnon 77), Hunt (Smith 30, Fox Weir, Moxon (Hungbo 78), Rodrigues (Bettoni 77), Wright, Murray, Taylor (Costelloe 63)
Subs not used: Asamoah, McManaman, Saydee, Savin, Smith

Attendance 59,996