Arsenal v Wigan live: Eberechi Eze makes two goals in Gunners’ fast start to FA Cup fourth-round tie
The Gunners have their sights on a quadruple this season but must first get past the struggling Latics
Arsenal host Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round with the Premier League leaders bidding to reach the next stage of the competition and keep themselves on track for an unprecedented quadruple.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table and are through to the last-16 of the Champions League whilst having a trip to Wembley booked in for the Carabao Cup final. Advancing through to the next stage of the FA Cup should be no trouble for the top-flight leaders especially when considering the fragile state of their opponents today.
Wigan currently sit 22nd in League One and are at risk of being relegated. Their only victory in nine outings was the 1-0 win over Preston North End in the previous round of the FA Cup and their form is such that they relieved former manager Ryan Lowe of his duties following a 6-1 demolition at the hands of Peterborough eight days ago.
Can the Latics spring an FA Cup shock on the Premier League leaders or will Arsenal cruise into the next round without issue? Follow all the updates from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
Arsenal 4-0 Wigan
41 min: Raphael cuts in from the right wing and gets a good shot off, which Kepa gets down well to save at his near post.
Arsenal 4-0 Wigan
37 min: Eze whips in a corner which Tickle fumbles, but there’s no Arsenal player there to pinch the ball and keeper collects at the second attempt.
Arsenal 4-0 Wigan
33 min: Huge chance for Wigan! A scrappy period of play around the edge of Arsenal’s box ends with the ball at the feet of Joe Taylor, who lashes a shot straight at Kepa. Either side and that would have been a goal.
Arsenal 4-0 Wigan
30 min: Wigan have already made a change. Jack Hunt is replaced by former Arsenal academy player Matt Smith – midfielder replacing defender – so that may require a reshuffle.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Wigan (Jesus, 27 min)
Norgaard plays a high ball over the top and picks out Gabriel Jesus’s arcing run nicely. The Brazilian controls with his left before flicking it over the goalkeeper with his right, and that’s four!
Clever finish. Wigan players look at one another, aghast.
Arsenal 3-0 Wigan
This is getting pretty ugly for Wigan, who need to dig in. Interim manager Glenn Whelan’s side are in the relegation zone in League One and the gulf in quality is clear for all to see.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Wigan (Hunt og, 22 min)
This is more messy but Arsenal won’t mind. Madueke flies down the right wing before slipping in Saka on the underlap. Saka’s first-time cross bounces around the box and into the net off defender Jack Hunt for an own goal.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Wigan (Martinelli, 19 min)
It’s another Eze assist! He receives the ball in the left half-space and turns quickly before sliding a left-footed pass into the channel for Gabriel Martinelli to chase. The Brazilian uses he pace to race clear of the Wigan defence before firing past Sam Tickle in goal.
Arsenal 1-0 Wigan
17 min: Eze tries a little slide-rule pass into the box where White is arriving on the right side, but the full-back is just offside.
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