London – Arsenal secured a resounding and well-deserved 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup fourth-round match. This win sees the Gunners advance to the fifth round (last 16) for the first time in six years, further cementing their exceptional season under Spanish manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal gave their League One (third tier) opponents no chance to settle into the game. Within just 16 minutes of kickoff, the London side had effectively sealed the victory with four unanswered goals. Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before his Brazilian teammate Gabriel Martinelli added a second in the 19th. The third goal came courtesy of an own goal by Wigan defender Jack Hunt in the 23rd minute, and Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus completed the rout in the 27th minute.
The importance of winning in a historical context and a busy season
This qualification holds special significance for Mikel Arteta's team, as they return to the fifth round for the first time since 2020, the year they won their 14th FA Cup title – Arteta's only trophy as a manager. Arsenal are the most successful club in FA Cup history, and winning this competition is always a priority for the fans and the club's management.
This victory further fuels Arsenal's ambitions for a historic season, as the team competes fiercely on four different fronts. They lead the Premier League table by a comfortable four points, have reached the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, and have qualified directly for the Champions League round of 16. This strong performance gives fans great hope of ending their long wait for major trophies.
Other results in the fourth round
Other matches in the same round were full of drama. Leeds United narrowly advanced to the fifth round after defeating Championship side Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Wolverhampton Wanderers, bottom of the Premier League, narrowly avoided an upset with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over League Two's Grimsby Town. Elsewhere, Fulham were eliminated after a 2-1 defeat to Stoke City, while Sunderland progressed with a 1-0 win over Oxford United.
