Arsenal Hit Four in 30 Minutes to Storm Into FA Cup Fifth Round

Arsenal delivered a blistering first-half display as they swept aside Wigan Athletic to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years.

The Premier League leaders wasted little time asserting their authority against the League One side, overwhelming the visitors with pace, precision and ruthless finishing. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute and set the tone for a relentless opening spell.

Eberechi Eze collected possession near the halfway line and threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Wigan defence. Noni Madueke timed his run superbly and finished confidently beyond goalkeeper Sam Tickle to give Arsenal the lead.

Just seven minutes later, Arsenal struck again. Eze was at the heart of it once more, carving open the defence with another incisive pass. This time, Gabriel Martinelli applied the finishing touch, guiding the ball neatly into the corner to double the advantage.

The Gunners’ third arrived before Wigan had time to regroup. Bright interplay between Bukayo Saka and Madueke created panic in the penalty area, and Jack Hunt’s attempted clearance ended in his own net, compounding a miserable opening half-hour for the visitors.

Saka’s involvement was particularly notable. The England winger had only been drafted into the starting XI late on after Riccardo Calafiori withdrew during the warm-up with an injury. Deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield role, Saka adapted seamlessly and played a key part in Arsenal’s attacking fluency.

The fourth goal underlined the hosts’ dominance. Christian Norgaard, partnering Saka in midfield for the day, delivered a clever pass into the path of Gabriel Jesus. The striker showed composure and imagination, lifting a delicate chip over the advancing Tickle to complete a devastating 30-minute spell.

That extraordinary burst saw Arsenal become the first Premier League side to score four goals within the opening half-hour of an FA Cup match.

Wigan threatened briefly in search of a consolation. Joe Taylor forced a fine save from Kepa Arrizabalaga during one of their rare forays forward, while substitute Viktor Gyokeres later struck the post for Arsenal in the second half.

For Arsenal, the victory carries added significance. They had not progressed to the fifth round since 2020 — the year they last lifted the trophy in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge, which remains their most recent silverware.