Player Ratings: Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic as rampant Gunners blast four first half goals
Arsenal reach the fifth round of the FA Cup after four first half goals see off League One Wigan Athletic at a rainy Emirates
Find out who impressed with View From The Armchair’s Player Ratings as Arsenal eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2020.
Kepa just Kepa: 8/10 – this isn’t a team, it’s a squad, an ethos, a belief. Super sharp save on 34 minutes to maintain the clean sheet. Subbed off for Tommy Setford with minutes remaining.
Ben White: 8/10 – More than any other player I have enjoyed BW4’s cameos this season. Would have been captain for the day had Riccardo Calafiori not been injured in the warm-up, forcing Bukayo Saka to start, while taking the captain’s armband from White. Subbed off late on with what appeared to be cramp after a good performance
William Saliba: 8/10 – coming back from an injury, the desire to maintain the clean sheet was on display. Sublimely cest magnifique today prior to giving way to 16-year-old Marli Salmon
Cristhian Mosquera: 8/10 – nearly nodded one in at the back post before the break. Simply majestic, albeit against League One opposition.
Miles Lewis Skelly: 8/10 – Interesting to note the 19-year-old wold have started the match in midfield but for that late juggle of the lineup after Calafiori’s injury. Fired just over the bar early on while doing his job super efficiently. Lasted the full 90 minutes in a sublime demonstration in levels.
Ebere Eze: 9/10 – Two superb early assists to get my POTM after playing the entire 90 minutes. Magnificent.
Christian Norgaard: 8.5/10 – massive opportunity for him to nail down a lasting legacy in this team, lead us to FA Cup glory this year, be a legend for life in Arsenal fans eyes, especially if you can keep bringing those reverse back heel assists. Blotted his copy book somewhat with a deserved late yellow card – even if, were I were in the ground it would have been a great tackle cheered loudly
Bukayo Saka: 8/10 – sneaky late appearance due to Calafiori getting injured in the warm up, so it’s the Greenford Trouble maker in tandem with Madueke for what feels like the first time. On 23 minutes they combined and it’s 3-0. Replaced at the interval with his work done as Viktor Van Battering Ram makes anb entrance, I’m happy with what I witnessed.
Noni Madueke: 8/10 – bamboozles himself more than any defender can but good to see him grab the opener on 11 minutes. Eze deserves huge credit, after laying it on a plate to slide home past the Wigan keeper, Tickle. Worked beautifully in tandem with Saka, changing wings with each other.
Gabriel Jesus: 8/10 – Norgaard’s assist helps Jesus make it 4-0, as Arsenal run riot. A pleasing dinked chip, as beautifully executed as you are likely to ever see, as our Brazil striker saw out the full 90 minutes
Gabriel Martinelli: 8/10 – A chance to shine from the start. Scored Arsenal’s second after only 18 minutes after being put clean through by Eze, the Brazilian finisher did the rest. Denied his second of the day towards the end, with a good save from a strong header on the edge of the 6 yard box from Zubi’s delicate, precise, cross.
Substitutes:
Viktor Gyokeres: 8/10 – The battering ram made an appearance after the break, in tandem with Jesus. Just what Wigan needed, facing another striker at 4-0 down. Slammed one against the post after being fed by BW4 but failed to get on the scoresheet as the Gunners eased off with the game long won