Arsenal secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic to advance to the FA Cup fifth round. The match, played at the Emirates Stadium, saw Arsenal establish an early and decisive lead, effectively ending the contest within the first half-hour. This win keeps Arsenal in contention for silverware across multiple competitions.
Match Overview
Arsenal began the match with notable speed and intent, scoring four goals within the opening 30 minutes. This quickfire scoring spree marked Arsenal as the first Premier League side to achieve such a feat in the opening half-hour of an FA Cup fixture. The goals came from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, an own goal by Wigan's Jack Hunt, and Gabriel Jesus.
Following their initial offensive burst, Arsenal appeared to ease their pressure. Reports suggest that Wigan made tactical adjustments, including a switch to a back four formation, which helped them become more solid defensively for the remainder of the game. Despite Wigan's efforts to contain Arsenal in the second half, the damage had already been done.
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Key Events and Goal Timeline
The decisive scoring within the first 30 minutes unfolded as follows:
11th minute: Noni Madueke opened the scoring for Arsenal, assisted by Eze.
18th minute: Gabriel Martinelli extended Arsenal's lead.
23rd minute: Jack Hunt scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball, following pressure from Bukayo Saka and Madueke.
27th minute: Gabriel Jesus added Arsenal's fourth goal, ensuring a substantial lead before the first half concluded.
Tactical Observations
Initial reports highlight Arsenal's aggressive start, a tactic that proved highly effective. The team's ability to score four goals in such a short span suggests a deliberate strategy to put the game beyond doubt early.
The own goal by Jack Hunt was a consequence of defensive pressure from Arsenal's Madueke and Saka.
After establishing a 4-0 lead, there's an indication that Arsenal "took their foot off the pedal," as noted by one commentator, suggesting a potential conservation of energy for upcoming fixtures.
Wigan's response included a change to a back four formation, which improved their defensive stability.
Player and Team News
Arsenal's Starting Lineup: Notably, Bukayo Saka started the match after a pre-game issue with Riccardo Calafiori. Lewis-Skelly also started, moving to left-back following Calafiori's substitution early in the game. William Saliba returned to the side after an illness.
Wigan's Lineup: McManaman was listed on the bench.
The match saw Arsenal still competing in four competitions, indicating a busy schedule as they aim for a trophy.
Broader Context and Implications
This FA Cup victory propels Arsenal into the fifth round, a stage they had not reached in six years. The win maintains their pursuit of silverware this season.
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Arsenal's performance places them among other Premier League teams who have advanced, such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
The result adds to Arsenal's domestic cup pedigree, continuing their challenge for the FA Cup.
Expert Commentary
"Arsenal took their foot off the pedal… they have lots of games coming up here and a game in midweek." - Commentator on Arsenal's second-half approach.
"You could see they changed to a back four and it suited them where they got it wrong first-half." - Commentator on Wigan's tactical adjustment.
Conclusion
Arsenal's emphatic first-half performance against Wigan Athletic secured their progression to the FA Cup fifth round with a 4-0 victory. The team's rapid scoring early in the match effectively settled the tie. While Arsenal subsequently eased their intensity, the early goals and solid defense ensured a comfortable win. The result keeps Arsenal’s aspirations alive in multiple competitions.
Sources Used
BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cn0e377e218t - Provides a detailed summary of the match, including key events and goal scorers, highlighting Arsenal's record-breaking first half.
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15557325/Arsenal-vs-Wigan-2025-26-Fourth-Round-FA-Cup-LIVE-Result.html?postId=05jsYZwBic4hluTF5UsG - Offers live updates, final score, goal times, and commentator insights on team performance and tactics.
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/02/15/arsenal-vs-wigan-athletic-live-score-latest-fa-cup-updates/?msockid=160c8f2fc151642d2a9f982ec0f4653c - Covers live updates and mentions other teams advancing to the fifth round, placing Arsenal's result in a broader FA Cup context.
NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/arsenal-vs-wigan-live-updates-score-highlights-stats-watch - Provides live updates and notes on the match, emphasizing Arsenal's dominance in the early stages.
Metro: https://www.metro.co.uk/2026/02/15/arsenal-vs-wigan-live-fa-cup-latest-score-confirmed-lineups-26900259/ - Focuses on live score updates and team news, confirming the goal scorers and their timing.
Sky Sports: https://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-wigan-athletic/live/552093 - Offers live commentary and a record of the goals scored, including the own goal and its timing.
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