Arsenal's First-Half Blitz Silences Wigan as Gunners Cruise into FA Cup Fifth Round
London, February 15, 2026 – Arsenal delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing at the Emirates Stadium today, securing a dominant 4-0 victory over League One side Wigan Athletic to advance to the FA Cup fifth round.
A Rapid-Fire Opening
The contest was effectively decided within a whirlwind 17-minute period in the first half. Despite Mikel Arteta making eight changes to the side that drew with Brentford earlier in the week, the Gunners showed no signs of rustiness.
- 11th Minute: Noni Madueke opened the scoring after a pinpoint pass from Eberechi Eze.
- 18th Minute: Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead, capitalizing on Arsenal's relentless pressure.
- 23rd Minute: The mountain became even steeper for Wigan when Jack Hunt inadvertently headed into his own net.
- 27th Minute: Gabriel Jesus rounded off the scoring blitz with a composed finish, making it 4-0 before the half-hour mark.
Total Dominance and Tactical Rotation
With a comfortable lead, Arsenal controlled the tempo for the remainder of the match. The game also provided a platform for milestones, as Tommy Setford and 16-year-old Marli Salmon made their home debuts, helping the team preserve their 22nd clean sheet of the 2025/26 season.
Wigan Athletic, currently struggling at 22nd in League One, found it difficult to breach Arsenal's defense, though Kepa Arrizabalaga was called into action to make a fine save against Joe Taylor late in the game.
Looking Ahead
This victory marks the first time Arsenal has reached the fifth round of the FA Cup since their trophy-winning campaign in 2020. With the "quadruple dream" still alive, the Gunners now turn their attention back to the Premier League with a trip to Wolverhampton on Wednesday.