A thrilling 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium has propelled Arsenal into the FA Cup's fifth round for the first time since 2020, and what a performance it was!
The game started with a bang, and Noni Madueke kicked things off with a composed finish, setting the tone for a dominant first half. Gabriel Martinelli soon doubled our lead, showcasing his clinical finishing. But here's where it gets controversial... an own goal from Jack Hunt and a cool finish from Gabriel Jesus made it 4-0 before the half-hour mark, leaving some fans questioning the opposition's defensive tactics.
And this is the part most people miss: amidst the goal frenzy, Marli Salmon, just 16 years old, made his home debut, replacing William Saliba. A momentous occasion for the young talent, and a sign of Arsenal's commitment to youth development.
The first half was a whirlwind of attacking football. Bukayo Saka, stepping into an unfamiliar midfield role, was instrumental in the opening goal, showcasing his versatility. Eberechi Eze, another key player, provided an incisive pass that led to Martinelli's goal, a true team effort.
The rain poured down, but so did the goals. Madueke and Saka combined beautifully, leading to an unfortunate own goal from Hunt. Martinelli was a constant threat, almost scoring again immediately after the restart, only to be denied by the keeper.
Gabriel Jesus joined the party, scoring before the half-hour mark with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper. An impressive display from the front three, and a record-breaking performance for Arsenal, becoming the first Premier League side to score four goals in the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup clash.
Despite the healthy lead, Wigan had their moments. Joe Taylor and Raphel Rodrigues tested our defense and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who kept his cool to maintain the clean sheet.
The second half saw a more settled affair. Viktor Gyokeres, a substitute, almost made an instant impact, but his effort was denied by the woodwork. Eze, eager for a goal, had a couple of attempts, but it wasn't to be.
Marli Salmon's home debut was a highlight, coming on with 30 minutes to play. Martinelli, always a threat, had a late chance, but the keeper was equal to it. Another debut followed, with Tommy Setford replacing Kepa, claiming a free-kick to the delight of the home crowd.
So, what's next for Arsenal? We travel to Wolverhampton on February 18th, facing Wolves at Molineux Stadium. Then, it's a North London derby against Tottenham on February 22nd. The draw for the next round of the FA Cup will take place before Macclesfield v Brentford on February 16th.
A thrilling start to 2026 for Arsenal fans, and a performance to remember. But what do you think? Was the win as dominant as it seemed? Are we seeing a new era for Arsenal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
