Positives and negatives from Arsenal's thumping 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic

Arsenal made light work of their FA Cup fourth-round tie on Sunday as they thumped Wigan Athletic 4-0 at the Emirates.

The Latics hold a strong ‘cupset' record so Mikel Arteta had to be on guard here. Of course, the away team beat Manchester City in the 2013 final and dumped them out in 2014 and 2018 too, while they also came close to eliminating the Gunners themselves in 2014, only to exit after a penalty shootout in the semi-final.  

Three positives and one negative as Arsenal defeat Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Fourth Round

But there was no hope for Wigan on this occasion; Arsenal stormed out of the blocks and were four goals up by the 27th minute. Noni Madueke scored first with Gabriel Martinelli adding one not long after, while Gabriel Jesus and a Jack Hunt own goal confirmed the home side would reach the Fifth Round for the first time since 2020.

It was a professional job from the quadruple chasers, and here are three positives and one negative from their big win.

Positive #1: Eberechi Eze bounces back

Eze has not had the best start to his Arsenal career and he hit a low ebb at Brentford, when the boss took him off at half-time.

However, he got an immediate chance to bounce back versus Wigan and seized it in style. It was his brilliant through ball that set up Madueke for the first goal (albeit the visitors parted like the Red Sea) and he followed it by assisting Martinelli just seven minutes later, this time splitting the backline with a left-footed pass.

Good defensive blocks stopped Eze from scoring himself, but he can still be proud of his work in this match. It was much needed after his anonymous outing last Thursday and the ignominy that follows a half-time withdrawal.

His confidence is high now, and Sp*rs await next week…

Negative #1: Riccardo Calafiori injured

At what point should fans be concerned?

Riccardo Calafiori made the first team initially but then got injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Bukayo Saka.

Knocks are always a worry – Arsenal have suffered so many of them lately (AGAIN!) – and especially when they involve Calafiori considering his fitness record: knee and muscle problems sidelined him at various points last season while this is the second time in less than two months that he has hurt himself in the warm-up, following his pre-match withdrawal against Brighton back in late December.

Fortunately, the boss has depth and Piero Hincapié looks the part in Arsenal colours, meaning there is no need to rush the Italian back.

But it is still frustrating as he is such a huge asset at both ends of the pitch and one that fans want to see making a difference as we approach the business end of the campaign. Arteta stayed coy during his post-match interview so it might be midweek before news of this latest setback is spelled out by the boss.

Please let it be good news.  

Positive #2: Gunners find their range

Arsenal are known for being rather wasteful in front of goal – they have no issues finding the net in the FA Cup.

No mercy was shown to their League One opponents as the home team effectively secured their spot in the Fifth Round within half an hour. After carving Wigan open on eleven minutes, the Gunners had a cushion moments later via Martinelli and still went for the throat to match their goal tally from the visit to Fratton Park last month.

Three shots on target. 4-0 up. Game over.

No one will get carried away by the score, not least given the mounting problems that Wigan have at present (sacked manager Ryan Lowe last week, have lost their last four league games and are in the League One relegation zone).

Yet it remains a nice change of pace to see Arsenal play with freedom, swagger and a clinical touch to claim a no-fuss cup win. Keep it up in the Premier League now, you never know if goal difference will come in handy.  

Positive #3: Quadruple dream lives on

To be honest, most Arsenal fans would probably sacrifice the quadruple dream if it meant they got to celebrate just a title win in May!

Even so, fans would not say ‘no’ to a couple of trophies (or four) and this crushing win leaves the club just four matches away from FA Cup glory, with the draw for the Fifth Round set to take place Monday night.

Cup success is always welcome at N5 and Arsenal have the squad to push for no. 15 as well as chase other silverware. Of course, it remains a big ask and it will PROBABLY not happen, simply because it never happens, but the Gunners find themselves in charge of their own destiny and will believe they can do it as long as they are still in the hat.

Arteta will certainly not take the FA Cup for granted or pick and choose what competitions he wants to win – he wants them all.