Arsenal scores four in 27 minutes to crush Wigan in FA Cup

Arsenal crushed Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, advancing to the FA Cup fifth round with all goals scored within 27 minutes.telegraph
Eberechi Eze provided two assists to set up Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, bouncing back after being substituted at halftime in Thursday’s draw at Brentford.goal
Captain Martin Odegaard missed the match with a knee injury but has downplayed concerns about a lengthy absence, according to the club.dailycannon

Arsenal Cruise Past Wigan 4-0 to Reach FA Cup Fifth Round

Arsenal dismantled League One side Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, advancing to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since winning the trophy in 2020. The Gunners scored all four goals inside the opening 27 minutes, with Eberechi Eze orchestrating the demolition with two assists as Mikel Arteta’s side kept their quadruple ambitions firmly intact.

Eze Inspires Devastating Start

Eze, who was substituted at halftime during Thursday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Brentford, responded emphatically against the third-tier visitors. The England international delivered a disguised through ball that sliced open Wigan’s defense, allowing Noni Madueke to open the scoring in the 11th minute. Seven minutes later, Eze again threaded a pass to Gabriel Martinelli, who fired across goal to double the lead.telegraph

The onslaught continued when Bukayo Saka, a late starter after Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the warmup, delivered a cross that Wigan defender Jack Hunt inadvertently headed into his own net in the 23rd minute. Christian Norgaard then sent Gabriel Jesus through on goal, and the Brazilian lifted a finish over goalkeeper Sam Tickle to make it 4-0 before the half-hour mark.skysports

According to ESPN, Arsenal became the first Premier League side to score four goals in the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup tie.goal

Second Half Proves a Formality

With the contest effectively over, Wigan reorganized into a back four and competed more evenly in a goalless second half. Viktor Gyokeres, who replaced Saka at halftime, struck the post with a deflected effort, while Tickle made saves to deny both Eze and Martinelli as Arsenal sought a fifth.goal

Captain Martin Odegaard was absent from the squad after sustaining a knee injury during the Brentford draw, though he has played down concerns about a lengthy absence.dailycannon

Quadruple Hunt Continues

The comprehensive victory keeps Arsenal in the hunt across four competitions. The Gunners lead the Premier League by four points over Manchester City and remain in contention for the Champions League and Carabao Cup, where they face City in the final next month.sportsmole

“I think they have every right to be” excited about the quadruple chase, goalscorer Madueke told TNT Sports after the match.beinsports