Eberechi Eze Inspires Arsenal's Emphatic FA Cup Victory Over Wigan
In a commanding display at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal secured a resounding 4-0 victory against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round, with midfielder Eberechi Eze playing a pivotal role. The England international, who has faced challenges adapting to life in north London, delivered a standout performance that could reignite his Arsenal career.
A Testing Period for Eze
Eze's recent months have been difficult, highlighted by being substituted at half-time during Arsenal's disappointing draw with Brentford. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that the player is still adjusting to his new environment. However, this FA Cup clash provided a perfect platform for Eze to showcase his talents, as he assisted both of Arsenal's opening goals against a struggling Wigan side languishing in League One's relegation zone.
Arsenal's Dominant Start
Arsenal raced into a 4-0 lead within just 27 minutes, overwhelming Wigan's defensive setup. Eze's creativity was on full display as he carved open the opposition defence with precise through balls. His first assist came for Noni Madueke, who finished coolly past goalkeeper Sam Tickle. Seven minutes later, Eze repeated the feat, this time with his left foot, setting up Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal's second goal.
The Gunners' attacking prowess continued as Bukayo Saka and Madueke combined effectively down the right flank, leading to a third goal. Gabriel Jesus added the fourth after capitalising on a defensive error, prompting Arsenal fans to taunt Wigan with chants of "Are you Tottenham in disguise?"
Wigan's Struggles and Managerial Changes
Wigan, under interim manager Glenn Whelan, have endured a torrid run, picking up only one point from their previous seven league matches. Their priorities clearly lie elsewhere, as evidenced by their defensive collapse. Whelan, who had sought advice from former Republic of Ireland teammate Keith Andrews on facing Arsenal, saw his side outclassed from the outset.
The defeat comes amid speculation that Gary Caldwell is poised to leave Exeter and return to Wigan, the club he helped win the FA Cup in 2013 as a player and later managed to promotion to the Championship.
Arsenal's Squad Depth and Injuries
Arteta was forced into a last-minute change when Riccardo Calafiori picked up an injury during the warm-up. This reshuffle saw Myles Lewis-Skelly moved to left-back, while Bukayo Saka was promoted from the bench to an unfamiliar No. 10 role. Saka, returning from a hip injury, was substituted at half-time for Viktor Gyökeres, who later struck the post.
With doubts over captain Martin Ødegaard's availability for upcoming matches and Kai Havertz set to miss at least four games due to a muscle injury, Eze's return to form is timely. His performance against Wigan could prove crucial ahead of next weekend's rematch with Tottenham Hotspur.
Notable Debuts and Missed Opportunities
Arsenal handed a home debut to 16-year-old central defender Marli Salmon, who has already featured in the Champions League. Salmon replaced William Saliba with half an hour remaining and shifted to right-back after Ben White received treatment.
Despite Arsenal's dominance, Wigan managed to limit further damage in the second half, with goalkeeper Sam Tickle making outstanding saves to deny both Eze and Martinelli additional goals. Martinelli now has 10 goals across the FA Cup and Champions League this season, underscoring his importance to the team.
Looking Ahead
This emphatic victory keeps alive Arsenal's hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, while Wigan's focus remains on avoiding relegation from League One. For Eberechi Eze, this match may mark a turning point, offering a glimpse of the swagger that saw him score a hat-trick in the north London derby last November. As Arsenal prepare for crucial fixtures, Eze's resurgence could not have come at a better time.
