Arsenal 4-0 Wigan: Gunners Make FA Cup History as Quadruple Dream Stays Alive

It was all guns blazing as Arsenal eased past League One side Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round.

Mikel Arteta’s side made history in emphatic fashion, becoming the first Premier League team to score four goals inside the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup tie. The Arsenal manager will hope more records follow as the season gathers momentum.

The Premier League leaders raced into a four-goal first-half lead as they continued their pursuit of a potential quadruple.

Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal sealed a dominant 4-0 victory in a contest that at times resembled a pre-season training exercise.

This competition holds special significance for Arteta, having delivered his first and only major trophy as Arsenal manager. However, the Gunners had been eliminated at this stage in each of the last three seasons by Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United so there was understandable relief in navigating this round comfortably.

Eberechi Eze was the standout performer, providing two assists in a display full of confidence and composure. After struggling to consistently replicate his Crystal Palace form, this performance could prove a timely boost for the attacking midfielder.

Arsenal’s recent FA Cup record offers genuine encouragement. In the previous nine seasons, on the two occasions they reached the fifth round, they went on to lift the trophy most memorably defeating Chelsea in the 2017 final.

For now, supporters can continue to dream. The quadruple remains alive.

Realistically, winning all four competitions would represent a monumental achievement. Yet with a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City looming next month, there is every reason to believe Arsenal could target domestic cup success if momentum continues to build.

However, for many fans, the priority remains clear. Following another £250 million summer investment, expectations have risen significantly. Under Arteta, this squad has been constructed to challenge for the Premier League title and that remains the ultimate objective.

That is why Wednesday’s rearranged trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers carries added importance. The fixture, moved due to Carabao Cup scheduling, comes after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Brentford, which reduced Arsenal’s advantage over Manchester City to just four points. In a title race defined by fine margins, further slip-ups cannot be afforded.

On paper, Molineux represents an opportunity to respond. But attention will quickly shift to Sunday’s North London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur a fixture rarely governed by logic. With Igor Tudor preparing for his first derby in charge of Spurs, unpredictability is guaranteed.

Against that backdrop, Arteta would have welcomed a routine afternoon. The only disruption came late, when Bukayo Saka was drafted into the starting XI after Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury during the warm-up his second setback in as many months.

With decisive weeks ahead across multiple competitions, Arsenal’s season stands delicately poised. Silverware remains within reach. Yet in a campaign shaped by ambition and heavy investment, it is the Premier League title that will ultimately define its success.