Arsenal hit four in 30 minutes to rout Wigan as FA Cup weekend delivers drama
Arsenal produced a devastating 30‑minute spell to blow Wigan Athletic away in their FA Cup fourth‑round meeting at the Emirates Stadium, while elsewhere the cup weekend served up more drama with Wolves, Sunderland, Leeds and Fulham advancing. The tie kicked off at 11: 30 a. m. ET on Sunday and ended with Arsenal comfortably through after a dominant display.
Arsenal clinical in fast start
Arsenal opened the tie with a blistering burst that effectively settled the contest inside the first half-hour. The hosts struck four times in that period, putting the tie beyond a Wigan side already stretched by domestic struggles. Bukayo Saka drew particular praise for his influence when deployed in an advanced midfield role, with supporters and staff highlighting how well he has adapted to the position.
As the wave of Arsenal attacks continued, substitutions followed: Saka was later taken off and Viktor Gyökeres introduced as the Gunners looked to manage the contest and preserve energy for the busy calendar ahead. There were strong defensive moments, too, but Arsenal’s clinical finishing was the defining feature — where chances were created, they were ruthlessly converted.
Wigan had earlier adjusted to a back four, a switch that had brought a recent run of clean sheets for the visitors in League One. That change offered a degree of comfort to the Latics early on, but it could not withstand Arsenal’s intensity and quality at the Emirates.
Wigan’s cup run and wider context
Wigan arrive in the capital having enjoyed a spirited FA Cup run, but their league form has been troubling; a number of defeats left them perilously placed in League One, and the club moved to make a managerial change in recent weeks. Interim coaches took charge for this tie, encouraging a fearless approach from the visitors — but the gulf in momentum and resources was exposed during Arsenal’s purple patch.
After the match, interim staff and players acknowledged the challenge of containing a top‑flight side operating at speed and precision. Despite brief moments of resistance, Wigan were unable to create the moments needed to pull back into the game.
Cup weekend roundup: mud, grit and late drama
The fourth round offered variety across the card. Wolves ground out a victory in testing conditions on an extremely muddy pitch, with the surface a talking point for managers and players afterwards; the defeated boss described it as a classic old‑school cup tie and lamented the playing surface’s influence on the contest. Another tight tie saw Sunderland edge Oxford 1‑0 to move on, while Fulham were able to find a late equaliser in their match at Stoke, keeping their cup hopes alive.
Comments from those involved underlined the magic and frustration of the FA Cup: managers praised passionate performance and resilience, but also pointed to fine margins where games are settled. One opposing manager noted good defensive work limited a Premier League side to minimal clear chances, yet acknowledged his team lacked the cutting edge to grab a result.
Arsenal’s progression now adds another name to the last‑32 line‑up as the competition tightens. The Gunners will look to build on this authoritative win, while Wigan must quickly refocus on their league campaign, where survival concerns remain pressing.
As the FA Cup moves into its next phase, the contrast between tidy, clinical displays and hard‑fought, muddy contests is a reminder of the competition’s breadth — from high‑octane attacking football to raw, traditional cup battles played in testing conditions.
