Eberechi Eze Inspires Arsenal's Dominant FA Cup Victory Over Wigan Athletic
In a stunning display of attacking football, Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round, with midfielder Eberechi Eze playing a pivotal role in the emphatic win. The match, held at Arsenal's home ground, saw the Gunners dominate from the outset, showcasing their depth and quality against a struggling League One side.
Eze's Creative Masterclass
Eberechi Eze, who has faced challenges adapting to life at Arsenal since his move, delivered a performance that could mark a turning point in his career with the club. After being substituted at half-time in the recent draw with Brentford, Eze returned with renewed confidence, providing two crucial assists within the first 27 minutes of the match. His swagger and creativity were on full display, reminiscent of his hat-trick heroics in the north London derby back in November.
Eze's first assist came from a perfectly weighted through ball that found Noni Madueke, who finished clinically past Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle. Just seven minutes later, Eze repeated the feat, this time with his left foot, setting up Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal's second goal. These contributions highlighted Eze's technical ability and vision, offering Arsenal a creative spark in midfield.
Arsenal's Early Onslaught
Arsenal wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing to a 4-0 lead by the 27th minute. In addition to Eze's assists, goals from Gabriel Jesus and another from team play down the right flank sealed the victory early on. Wigan, who are languishing in League One's relegation zone, set up in a defensive back five but were quickly overwhelmed by Arsenal's attacking prowess.
The Gunners' supporters added to the atmosphere, mocking Wigan with chants of "Are you Tottenham in disguise?" as the goals flowed. Wigan's interim manager, Glenn Whelan, had sought advice from former Republic of Ireland teammate Keith Andrews on facing Arsenal, but his tactics proved insufficient against the Premier League leaders.
Team Changes and Injury Concerns
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced into a last-minute change when Riccardo Calafiori picked up an injury during the warm-up. This led to Myles Lewis-Skelly shifting to left-back and Bukayo Saka moving into an unfamiliar No. 10 role. Saka, returning from a hip injury, played a key part in the buildup to one of the goals before being substituted at halftime for Viktor Gyökeres.
With captain Martin Ødegaard absent from the matchday squad and Kai Havertz set to miss at least four matches due to a muscle injury, Eze's return to form is timely. Arsenal's depth was further tested as young defender Marli Salmon made his home debut, replacing William Saliba in the second half.
Wigan's Struggles and Future Outlook
Wigan Athletic, who have picked up only one point from their previous seven league matches, including a 6-1 defeat to Peterborough, clearly prioritized survival in League One over cup success. Their defensive setup was abandoned early as Arsenal's attack proved too potent. Veteran defender Jack Hunt had a particularly difficult afternoon, being at fault for two goals before being substituted.
Off the pitch, Wigan are expected to appoint Gary Caldwell as their new manager, replacing Ryan Lowe, who was dismissed after the heavy loss to Peterborough. Caldwell, who previously managed Wigan to promotion to the Championship, is tipped to return from Exeter, adding a layer of optimism for the club's future.
Match Highlights and Aftermath
Arsenal continued to press in the second half, with Gyökeres hitting the post and Eze firing into the side netting after a mazy run. Wigan managed to limit further damage, thanks in part to outstanding saves from goalkeeper Sam Tickle, who denied both Martinelli and Eze additional goals.
The victory keeps alive Arsenal's hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, adding to their lead at the top of the Premier League. For Wigan, the focus now shifts to avoiding relegation, with interim manager Glenn Whelan likely relieved that his caretaker spell is nearing its end.
In a lighter moment during halftime, Arsenal's mascot Gunnersaurus defeated Wigan's mascot, Crusty the Pie, in a penalty shootout, adding a touch of humor to the comprehensive victory. As Arsenal advance to the next round, Eze's performance offers a glimpse of the creativity and flair that could prove crucial in their pursuit of multiple trophies this season.
