Arsenal's Quadruple Ambitions Strengthened by Emphatic FA Cup Triumph
While much of the footballing world remains fixated on Arsenal's nerve in the Premier League title race, the possibility of an unprecedented quadruple quietly persists under Mikel Arteta's stewardship. A comprehensive 4-0 demolition of Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round has secured Arsenal's passage to the fifth round for the first time since they last lifted the trophy six years ago. That victory remains the sole major piece of silverware in Arteta's tenure, making this cup run particularly poignant.
Eze Delivers a Resounding Response to Recent Criticism
When Eberechi Eze failed to reappear for the second half against Brentford, his memorable hat-trick against Tottenham seemed a distant memory. Indeed, it was: sixteen consecutive matches without a goal had followed that spectacular performance, prompting clear signals from Arteta that more was required from his £60 million signing. Against Wigan, Eze delivered emphatically. While acknowledging the opposition's League One status, Eze displayed both the class and character of a player determined to reclaim his influence.
He orchestrated Arsenal's opening two goals with exquisite through balls: the first, launched from the halfway line, dissected four Wigan defenders to find Noni Madueke; the second was slipped down the left channel for Gabriel Martinelli to finish with conviction. By the second half, Eze was gliding past defenders and testing the goalkeeper, his movement radiating the confidence of a player rediscovering his form. He was not alone in impressing, with Martinelli and Christian Norgaard also enjoying productive afternoons, while William Saliba's return from illness provided further encouragement.
Saka's Versatility Shines in Midfield Experiment
There was considerable surprise among spectators as the teams emerged at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka unexpectedly leading the side out. Initially named on the bench, Saka was a late inclusion after Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury during the warm-up, resulting in Saka not only starting but also assuming the captain's armband. This alteration curtailed one of Arteta's planned tactical setups but enabled another: Saka operating in central midfield.
According to Transfermarkt, Saka had not started a match in Arsenal's midfield since April 2021, with just five such appearances in nearly 300 games for the club. Yet, he demonstrated remarkable adaptability, frequently receiving passes from defence with his back to goal and distributing with the precision of a seasoned playmaker. He was instrumental in Arsenal's third goal, making a clever underlapping run into the box to collect from Madueke before delivering a delicate cross that Jack Hunt inadvertently turned into his own net.
Arteta Seizes Opportunity for Tactical Innovation
With a four-goal cushion established within thirty minutes against a struggling League One opponent, Arteta recognised an ideal moment to trial new combinations ahead of the season's climax. The second-half introduction of Viktor Gyokeres for Saka marked the first instance where Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus shared the pitch simultaneously, typically they substitute for one another.
Gyokeres led the line while Jesus adopted a deeper, linking role. Jesus's movement troubled Wigan, forcing a save from goalkeeper Samuel Tickle, though Gyokeres found it challenging to influence play in advanced areas, touching the ball only once in the first twenty minutes of the half. He later struck the post following an excellent pass from Ben White, ultimately failing to fully capitalise on his opportunity.
Smith's Emotional Return Provides Poignant Subplot
Amid the one-sided contest, there remained space for a touch of FA Cup sentimentality. With Wigan trailing 4-0 after half an hour, midfielder Matt Smith, an Arsenal academy graduate, prepared to enter the fray. The stadium announcer heralded his arrival for his Emirates debut, eliciting warm applause from the home supporters.
Smith, a lifelong Arsenal fan, never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners before joining Wigan three years prior. Notably, he was on the bench for the 2020 FA Cup final victory, replacing the ostracised Mesut Ozil. Saka was also among the substitutes that day, and despite their divergent career paths since, Smith can still claim an equal number of major trophy winners' medals with Arsenal as both Saka and Arteta. With Arsenal competing on four fronts this season, that statistic may soon be revised.
