Arsenal secured a decisive victory against Wigan, progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup without drama. Mikel Arteta’s team dominated, with Eberechi Eze contributing both a goal and an assist early in the match. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus added to the scoreline, establishing a 4-0 lead by halftime.
An injury to Ricardo Calafiori during warm-ups forced Miles Lewis-Skelly to shift from midfield to left-back, leading to Bukayo Saka’s substitution. Despite starting on the bench, Saka played well upon his return, but the spotlight was on Noni Maduke, who continued his strong form with a goal and assist.
Arteta also gave 16-year-old Mari Salmon his first start at center-back, showcasing Arsenal’s commitment to youth development. After the match, Arteta praised the team’s cohesion despite changes in the lineup and discussed the potential for Saka to play more centrally in future games.
With upcoming Premier League matches, including a fixture against Wolves, Arteta expressed concern over injuries to key players while emphasizing the need for squad depth.
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