Arsenal Dominates Wigan Athletic with 4-0 Victory – Match Recap

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 15, 2026 9:12 PM ET

Arsenal Dominates Wigan Athletic with 4-0 Victory – Match Recap

Arsenal produced an impressive 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium, securing a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2020. This dominant display featured a barrage of goals within the first 30 minutes, setting the tone for an exciting match.

Match Overview

The scoring kicked off with Noni Madueke in just the 10th minute, followed by Gabriel Martinelli, who found the back of the net to double Arsenal’s lead. Jack Hunt’s own goal contributed to Wigan’s woes, and Gabriel Jesus capped off the first-half blitz with a well-timed finish. Arsenal’s defense, led by Kepa Arrizabalaga, achieved their 22nd clean sheet of the season.

Key Events in the First Half

10 Minutes: Noni Madueke opens the scoring with a composed finish, assisted by Bukayo Saka.
17 Minutes: Gabriel Martinelli scores his fourth goal of the competition after a superb pass from Eberechi Eze.
23 Minutes: An unfortunate own goal by Jack Hunt extends Arsenal’s lead to 3-0.
<30 Minutes: Gabriel Jesus scores, marking his 20th goal or assist against lower league teams.

This first-half performance not only highlighted Arsenal’s attacking prowess but also set a new record; they became the first Premier League team to score four goals within the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup match.

Wigan’s Attempts to Respond

Despite Arsenal’s dominance, Wigan Athletic nearly found a goal before halftime. Joe Taylor, after some resilient play, forced a save from Arrizabalaga. Raphel Rodrigues also came close but was denied by the alert Arsenal keeper.

Second Half Developments

The second half saw Arsenal maintain control but with fewer goals. Viktor Gyokeres, who replaced Saka, almost made an immediate impact but struck the woodwork. Eberechi Eze also had two promising attempts to increase the scoreline but was unable to finish.

Younger players made their mark as Marli Salmon debuted at home, and Tommy Setford came on for Kepa, energizing the crowd with a solid save. This match balanced youth and experience effectively.

Looking Ahead

With the FA Cup fourth round completed, Arsenal’s next challenge is against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on February 18. Following that, they will face Tottenham Hotspur in a local derby on February 22. Fans eagerly await the draw for the next FA Cup round, which will take place on February 16.