Eberechi Eze Sends Timely Reminder to Mikel Arteta as Arsenal Thrash Wigan in FA Cup
Arsenal continued their relentless hunt for an unprecedented quadruple this season, breezing past League One strugglers Wigan Athletic with a devastating display in the FA Cup. The Gunners scored four goals in a blistering opening 30 minutes, showcasing their depth and firepower in a comprehensive victory.
Eze Rediscovers Form with Sublime Performance
Eberechi Eze refound his old FA Cup magic, delivering a performance that underscored his potential to contribute significantly to Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League ambitions. The England winger, who netted the winning goal in last season's final against Manchester City, had seen his career at the record FA Cup winners stall somewhat since his north London derby hat-trick against Tottenham in November.
However, back in the FA Cup arena, Eze produced two sublime assists—his first goal involvements since that Spurs triumph—as Mikel Arteta's reserve side romped to victory. This timely reminder of his talent came after he was hauled off at half-time in the recent match at Brentford, highlighting a resurgence that could prove crucial for the Gunners' packed fixture schedule.
Arsenal's Dominant Start Seals Fifth Round Berth
Arsenal strolled into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since their last triumph in the competition back in 2020, with the win also marking a step closer to a potential trophy this season. The match saw the Gunners unleash a nightmare 16-minute spell for Wigan, conceding four goals in rapid succession.
Bukayo Saka stepped in for the first half, contributing to the onslaught, while Eze showed glimpses of the talent that prompted Arsenal to pay £68 million for his services last summer. His failure to make a consistent impact at the Emirates Stadium has flown under the radar compared to high-profile signings like Viktor Gyokeres, but this performance demonstrated he still possesses the game-changing ability that could be vital in the coming months.
Key Moments and Assists from Eze
Eze played a perfect defence-splitting pass after just 11 minutes, allowing Noni Madueke to open the scoring. Eight minutes later, he set up Gabriel Martinelli—who netted a hat-trick in the previous round at Portsmouth—to double the lead. For Wigan, the misery compounded when Gabriel Jesus diverted Saka's pullback onto the head of Jack Hunt for an unfortunate own goal, and Jesus made no mistake after 27 minutes with a delicate dink over goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
Despite the early barrage, Wigan, the 2013 FA Cup winners, showed pride and spirit to avoid conceding again for the final 63 minutes. Half-time substitute Gyokeres hit the post, and Tickle made saves from Martinelli, but the damage was already done. Wigan, who sit 22nd in League One after four consecutive league defeats, now face a quick turnaround with a home match against Luton on Wednesday.
Arteta's Squad Depth Tested Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
Mikel Arteta will need all of his expensively assembled squad for potentially 24 more games this season, as evidenced by Riccardo Calafiori pulling out during the warm-up in a team already showing eight changes. Bigger challenges loom for the Premier League and Champions League favourites, including a packed fixture schedule with Wolves visiting the Emirates on Wednesday night.
That game has been rescheduled because Arsenal will take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on March 22, and the Gunners—potentially with Eze involved—will also face Tottenham on Sunday. Arteta looked to the future by giving late home debuts to 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon and 19-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford, emphasizing the club's long-term planning amid their immediate trophy pursuits.
This victory not only keeps Arsenal's quadruple dream alive but also serves as a potent reminder of Eberechi Eze's capabilities, offering Mikel Arteta valuable options as the season reaches its climax.
