ARSENAL made light work of third tier Wigan with a rampant first half blitz to book their spot in the FA Cup fifth round.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders ran riot in front of a packed 60,000 Emirates crowd, bagging all four goals before the interval to leave the Latics battered and bruised.
Forwards Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all got their names on the scoresheet, either side of a Jack Hunt own goal as the full back tried and failed to cut out a Bukayo Saka cross.
But it was summer signing Eberechi Eze who stole the show, the big money arrival from Crystal Palace pulling the strings and setting up two of the goals in a devastating attacking display.
The Gunners were relentless from the off, pinning Wigan back in their own half and barely giving the League One strugglers a sniff. For a side fighting relegation in the third tier, this was always going to be damage limitation, and it showed.
Arsenal, chasing a record extending 15th FA Cup crown, last lifted the famous old trophy in 2020. On this form, you wouldn’t bet against them going all the way again.
Wigan, of course, will always have 2013, that fairytale day at Wembley when Ben Watson’s header stunned Manchester City. But this was a million miles from that glory, with the Latics dumped out without so much as a whimper.
FULHAM LEAVE IT LATE AS REED PUNISHES KEEPER’S HOWLER
Fulham joined Arsenal in the fifth round draw after rallying to beat Stoke 2-1 at the Bet365 Stadium thanks to a gift from Potters keeper Tommy Simkin.
The Cottagers looked in trouble when Bae Jun ho fired Stoke ahead early on. But Brazilian winger Kevin levelled shortly after the restart, before Harrison Reed pounced on Simkin’s disastrous pass straight to him in the box to slot home a late winner.
Marco Silva’s side showed real character to turn it around but they’ll know they rode their luck.
SAKA INJURY FEARS FOR ARTETA AFTER WIGAN WALKOVER
There was one sour note for Arsenal, however, with Bukayo Saka forced off in the second half after a heavy challenge.
The England winger who’d already teed up a goal, was caught late and looked in discomfort as he trudged down the tunnel. Arteta will be sweating on the results, with a Premier League title run in looming large.
Arsenal next face London rivals West Ham at the Emirates, before a massive top of the table clash with Manchester City at the Etihad.
PENALTY HEARTBREAK FOR BIRMINGHAM AS LEEDS EDGE THROUGH
Leeds needed spot kick heroics to see off Championship rivals Birmingham after a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.
German forward Lukas Nmecha fired the Whites ahead early in the second half following Noah Okafor’s clever lay off. But Patrick Roberts smashed home a thunderous equaliser in the 89th minute to force extra time and then penalties.
In the shootout, Leeds keeper Lucas Perri saved from Tommy Doyle before Roberts blazed over. Step forward Sean Longstaff, who kept his cool to send Daniel Farke’s men through 4-2.
WOLVES GRIND IT OUT AT SOGGY GRIMSBY
Wolves avoided a potential banana skin at a rain soaked Blundell Park, where Santiago Bueno’s goal was enough to see off fourth tier Grimsby 1-0.
The pitch was heavy, the conditions were grim but Gary O’Neil’s side dug deep to book their place in the next round.
Sunderland also progressed, with Habib Diarra’s penalty settling a 1-0 win at Oxford, who are also struggling in League One.
MACCLESFIELD LOOKING TO PULL OFF ANOTHER MIRACLE
Non league Macclesfield, already the story of this year’s competition after dumping out holders Crystal Palace in the third round, face Premier League Brentford on Monday night.
If the Silkmen pull off another miracle, it’ll go down as one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time.
Mansfield have already done their bit, knocking out Burnley on Saturday to crank up the pressure on Clarets boss Scott Parker.
The FA Cup keeps on giving.
