FA Cup reaction: Arsenal rout Wigan as Leeds, Wolves, Sunderland and Fulham advance
Arsenal made light work of Wigan at the Emirates, netting four times inside the opening half-hour to seal passage into the fifth round of the fa cup, while other fourth-round ties produced gritty away wins and memorable moments for players and supporters alike.
Arsenal’s reserve-laden side steamrolls Wigan as Eze shines
A largely rotated Arsenal XI removed any suspense early on, the visitors undone by a relentless spell that produced four goals by the 30th minute. Eberechi Eze stood out in midfield, repeatedly finding pockets of space and driving the tempo; teammates praised his influence after the match. Noni Madueke described the performance as professional and stressed the squad’s intent to build momentum with consistent displays.
There was time for youngsters to savour the occasion too. William Saliba returned to the starting line-up after illness, and manager rotation allowed Dutch reserve keeper Tommy Setford to be introduced late on when Kepa Arrizabalaga was substituted — a change that drew playful crowd reaction about goalkeepers and their reluctance to be withdrawn. Wigan’s keeper Sam Tickle also earned applause for a number of impressive saves that kept the scoreline down after the early onslaught.
Human moments and scenes from the terraces
Beyond the goals, the evening offered touching fan encounters. Wigan captain Jason Kerr tossed his shirt into the away end and a young fan was left in tears of joy when he received it. Players from both sides made a point of acknowledging the travelling contingent, with the Wigan supporters — around 5, 000 in number — given time to applaud their team at full-time despite the heavy defeat.
The match also featured an unusual substitution in the last quarter when Arsenal brought on a teenage goalkeeper, prompting banter and warmth from the crowd. Those small scenes underlined what the competition still means to supporters and younger players getting taste of senior football on a big stage.
Other fourth-round ties: grit, mud and tight finishes
Wolves moved through after a win on a pitch described as very muddy, with Grimsby struggling to cope with conditions that made passing and movement difficult. The surface played its part but the visitors adapted and secured a deserved victory.
Sunderland edged past Oxford with a narrow 1-0 result, a classic cup scoreline that leaves the Black Cats into the next stage after a low-scoring, hard-fought contest. Fulham, meanwhile, produced a late response to level at Stoke and salvage a positive outcome from an away trip that threatened to turn sour. Leeds also progressed from their tie, ensuring a busy weekend of upsets and confirmations across the fourth round.
The fourth round delivered a mixture of routine victories for the bigger squads and the drama that underpins knockout football: young players making unexpected appearances, keepers turning in eye-catching performances, muddy pitch battles and the little human moments that linger long after the final whistle. Arsenal’s early burst at the Emirates was the headline, but the evening was a reminder that the fa cup remains fertile ground for stories both on and off the pitch.
