Four goals inside 30 minutes send Arsenal storming into the FA Cup fifth round
Arsenal tore Wigan Athletic apart in a devastating first-half display at the Emirates Stadium, storming into the FA Cup fifth round with a ruthless 4-0 victory that was effectively sealed before the half-hour mark.
From the outset, Mikel Arteta’s side imposed itself with intent. Even a late reshuffle – after Riccardo Calafiori withdrew in the warm-up – failed to disrupt their rhythm. Bukayo Saka stepped into an unfamiliar midfield role and immediately shaped proceedings.
The breakthrough arrived after just 10 minutes. Saka threaded a superb through ball into the path of Noni Madueke, who surged forward and finished calmly beyond Sam Tickle. It was composed, clinical and a sign of what was to follow.
Seven minutes later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. Christian Norgaard split the Wigan defence with a sharp pass to Eberechi Eze, who slipped Gabriel Martinelli through on goal. The Brazilian made no mistake, hammering home his fourth goal of this season’s competition.
The Emirates barely had time to settle before Arsenal struck again. Madueke found Saka in space, and his cross caused chaos. Jack Hunt, under pressure, could only head the ball into his own net. Three goals in 22 minutes. The contest was slipping away from Wigan at alarming speed.
And Arsenal were not done.
Before the 30-minute mark, Gabriel Jesus added a fourth. Norgaard launched an inch-perfect long ball over the top, and Jesus lifted a delicate finish over Tickle. The move was precise, the execution effortless. Arsenal became the first Premier League side to score four goals within the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup match.
Despite the onslaught, Wigan attempted to respond. Joe Taylor wriggled through challenges to fire from close range, but Kepa Arrizabalaga reacted sharply to preserve the clean sheet. Raphael Rodrigues also tested the Spaniard with a low drive, yet Kepa stood firm.
The second half carried less frenzy but maintained control. Viktor Gyokeres replaced Saka at the break and nearly made an instant impact. Played in down the right by Ben White, the Swede beat Tickle with a deflected effort only to see the ball rebound off the woodwork.
Eze searched for a goal of his own, sending a free-kick into the wall before striking narrowly into the side netting after weaving into the area. Arsenal dictated possession without overextending, content to manage the tempo.
With 30 minutes remaining, 16-year-old Marli Salmon stepped on for his home debut, replacing William Saliba. The introduction marked another milestone in a season already rich with defensive discipline. Arsenal secured their 22nd clean sheet of the 2025/26 campaign.
Late chances came and went. Martinelli’s header from Martin Zubimendi’s cross forced a smart save from Tickle on the line. Tommy Setford also made his home debut, replacing Kepa to a rousing reception, and confidently claimed a late free-kick.
The result carries historic weight. Arsenal advance to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2020, propelled by a first-half performance that overwhelmed Wigan before resistance could properly form.
Attention now turns quickly to league matters. Arsenal travel to Molineux to face Wolves on February 18, before a north London clash with Tottenham on February 22. But for one rain-soaked afternoon in N5, the story was simple: Arsenal struck early, struck hard, and ended the tie before it truly began.