Arsenal thrash Wigan 4-0 at the Emirates to reach the FA Cup fifth round after a ruthless first-half display

Arsenal F.C. thrashed Wigan Athletic F.C. 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to secure a commanding place in the FA Cup fifth round.

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The fourth-round tie was effectively decided inside 26 minutes as Arsenal delivered a blistering attacking display that overwhelmed their visitors.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 10th minute, calmly finishing past Sam Tickle after a slick midfield move carved open the Wigan defence.

Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage seven minutes later, firing home following another incisive attacking sequence to register his fourth goal of this season’s FA Cup campaign.

Wigan’s afternoon deteriorated further in the 22nd minute when defender Jack Hunt diverted the ball into his own net under pressure after dangerous play down Arsenal’s left flank.

Gabriel Jesus completed the first-half demolition in the 26th minute, collecting a precise long ball before delicately lifting his finish over the advancing Tickle.

Arsenal’s dominance was anchored by midfield control, with Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka dictating tempo and repeatedly unlocking the Wigan backline during a ruthless opening spell.

Martinelli nearly added a fifth shortly before the interval, but Tickle reacted sharply to limit further damage.

Despite easing the intensity after the break, Arsenal maintained possession and restricted Wigan’s attacking threat. Kepa Arrizabalaga was required to produce key saves to preserve the clean sheet when Joe Taylor and Raphael Rodrigues tested the defence.

Second-half substitutions included the introduction of Viktor Gyokeres, who struck the woodwork in search of a debut goal.

Teenage defender Marli Salmon made his home debut late on, while young goalkeeper Tommy Setford also featured to loud applause from the home crowd.

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The emphatic victory sees Arsenal progress to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2020 and extends an impressive defensive record in what has been a confident 2025/26 campaign.