Arsenal dispatched Wigan with ease to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a dominant 4-0 win, keeping their quest for silverware across all four fronts alive.
An electric start to the game quickly extinguished any fears of an upset as Arsenal cut through their League One opponents effortlessly to score four goals in just 27 minutes.
Two sublime passes from Eberechi Eze, dropping deeper to get on the ball and dictate play, allowed Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli to slot home the opening goals in emphatic style.
Wigan defender Jack Hunt then diverted a third in with his own head before he was caught flatfooted following a ball over the top from Christian Norgaard, leaving Gabriel Jesus in space to lift a fourth in for the Gunners.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had one of his quieter afternoons in goal but was called into action to keep the clean sheet intact, denying Joe Taylor from close-range and stopping Raphael Rodrigues' shot from nestling in the bottom corner.
Viktor Gyokeres came close to adding a fifth for Arsenal after his deflected strike cannoned off the woodwork but ultimately the job was already done after outclassing and overwhelming Wigan inside the first half hour.
Arsenal remain in all four competitions and will discover their fifth round opponents in the FA Cup when the draw takes place before Macclesfield host Brentford on Monday night, before then facing Wolves, live on Your Site, in the Premier League two days later.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke speaking to TNT Sports:
"They [the fans] have every right to be [excited]. We're working hard to try and deliver the type of season I think it ought to be with the way we're performing right now.
"That's our main focus. It's exciting, but we need to carry on doing the right things every single day and see where we are at the end."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports:
"It's very good. We made a lot of changes [eight], players that needed some minutes. They started the game really well. A lot of pace, very vertical, we had some great actions - collective and individually - and the first half made a difference.
"The intensity that we carried in the first few minutes, the intention we had as a team, the connection as well we had between players that haven't played a match together. Really positive."
Your Site News' Gail Davis at the Emirates Stadium:
"This game was done and dusted inside half an hour - exactly how you imagine Arteta would have liked it. He would have perhaps preferred to see his side push on a little more in the second half, with Gyokeres and Martinelli having opportunities.
"There was the faintest of smiles from Arteta at the final whistle. At this point of the season and with a game at Wolves on Wednesday, it is job done and he'll just hope his squad, including Calafiori who was injured in the warm-up, have all come through and are ready to go again.
"Certainly in the first half the players seemed to play without pressure and with a bit of freedom that this title race has stifled at times - but they were allowed to by Wigan.
"It is the first time since 2020 Arsenal are into the fifth round - the last time they lifted a trophy."
Wigan's caretaker boss Graham Barrow speaking to TNT Sports:
"We recovered [from being 4-0 down], that was the main thing. They've got two teams really within their squad. We are a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded but to dig in like we did to stop that.
"I thought the players did excellently in the second half. In essence, they gave everything they got.
"Arsenal were relentless. I am really pleased for the players as it has been a tough time. There have been positives and the players stuck together; that is the main thing.
"We take from this the spirit and we tried something at 4-0 down, going to a back four and it worked. I think we have enough to stay up; that is the main thing."
