Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic: Player ratings as Gunners cruise into FA Cup fifth round

Arsenal sailed into the fifth round of the FA Cup as a dominant first-half display saw them defeat League One side Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta made a number of changes to the side that were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford just three days ago. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Jesus were among those to come into the lineup while William Saliba returned from illness and Myles Lewis-Skelly was deployed in a midfield role.

Riccardo Calafiori was originally named in the team, but an injury in the warm-up saw Bukayo Saka take his place with Ceadach O'Neill being called up to the bench.

It didn't take long for the Gunners to show the vast difference in quality as they took the lead after just 11 minutes. Eberechi Eze sent Noni Madueke through on goal for the winger to slot a neat finish past Sam Tickle.

Gabriel Martinelli then doubled his side's lead soon after when he collected a pass from Eze to run into the box and set himself before firing a left footed effort into the far corner.

Some nice link-up play between Madueke and Bukayo Saka ended in Jack Hunt heading into his own net ahead of Gabriel Jesus adding a fourth with a lifted finish over Tickle. Arsenal continued to push, but couldn't add to their tally, but they were still very much in cruise control at the break.

Arteta's side went close to making it five shortly after the break when Ben White played substitute Viktor Gyökeres in down the right side of the box, but his low strike hit the post and was cleared.

The Gunners continued to dominate the game and caused plenty of problems for Wigan, but couldn't add to their advantage. Arteta made the unusual decision to replace Kepa late on, bringing Tommy Setford on for just his second appearance as an Arsenal player.

The controlled victory saw the hosts cruise into the fifth round of the FA Cup ahead of Monday's draw and also bounce back to improve their form ahead of Wednesday's trip to face Wolves.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6.5/10 - Controlled his box well as he claimed any balls into the area. Had a quiet afternoon without really being called into action. Bizarrely taken off late on for Setford.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Played a great pass down the right side for Gyökeres to collect in the box, but the subsequent effort struck the post. Continued to help out in attack before being forced off late on.

William Saliba (CB) - 6.5/10 - Really didn't have much to do, but was great to see him back in the team after absence due to illness. Taken off on the hour mark.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 6.5/10 - Just like his partner, he didn't have to do much, but what he did do, he did well. Solid once again and will be glad to have kept a clean sheet.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 7/10 - Denied the chance to play in midfield by Calafiori's injury, but still performed well in the inverted left back role. Shown a yellow card in the second-half.

Midfielders

Christian Nørgaard (CM) - 7.5/10 - Picked up an assist with a great pass over the top of the defence to set Jesus up for the fourth goal. Linked up well with his teammates and looked so composed once again. Moved to centre back for the final stages.

Eberechi Eze (AM) - 7.5/10 - Much better performance compared to his poor display at Brentford. Grabbed two assists with a pair of through balls for Madueke and Martinelli to latch onto. Looked for a goal in the second-half, but it didn't come.

Bukayo Saka (AM) - 7.5/10 - Played a part in his side's third when he sent the ball across goal before Hunt headed the ball past Tickle. Roamed with freedom in a creative number 10 role and was withdrawn at the break.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7.5/10 - Opened the scoring with a well-taken finish after picking up a through ball from Eze. Continued to cause problems down the right side, linking up with Saka for the third, and was subbed off after an hour.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 7/10 - Made it four with a neat lifted finish over Tickle just before the half-hour mark. Remained a source of trouble in attack for the remainder of the game.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 7/10 - Added a second for his side when he was played in by Eze before striking a left-footed effort past Tickle. Caused issues for the Wigan defence and made a few good runs. Denied a second by a good save late on.

Substitutes

• Viktor Gyökeres (on 46' for Saka) - 6.5/10
• Marli Salmon (on 61' for Saliba) - 6.5/10
• Leandro Trossard (on 61' for Madueke) - 6.5/10
• Martín Zubimendi (on 79' for White) - 6.5/10
• Tommy Setford (on 87' for Kepa) - 6.5/10

Player of the match: Christian Nørgaard