The last few months have tested the resolve of the man who clinched the FA Cup for Crystal Palace last season. Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal career has faced scrutiny, culminating in his half-time substitution during the disappointing draw with Brentford recently. However, the magic of the cup often breathes new life into careers, and for Eze, this clash against struggling Wigan Athletic proved to be exactly the tonic he needed. While the opposition languishes in the League One relegation zone, Eze’s performance was marked by a restored swagger, reminiscent of his spectacular hat-trick during the North London derby back in November. With serious doubts surrounding the fitness of captain Martin Ødegaard and the confirmed absence of Kai Havertz due to a muscle injury, Eze’s timely return to influential form offers Mikel Arteta a vital creative outlet as the Gunners prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including the imminent rematch with Tottenham Hotspur.
Arteta’s Tactical Puzzle Solved by Eze’s Brilliance
Mikel Arteta faced immediate disruptions even before kickoff. An injury to Riccardo Calafiori in the warmup meant a late change, denying Myles Lewis-Skelly a rare start and forcing Bukayo Saka into an unfamiliar number 10 position, originally meant for Eze. Despite this flux, Arsenal’s attacking machine clicked instantaneously against Wigan’s hopeful but ultimately futile five-man defensive setup.
The Midfield Maestro Restored
Eze, operating in a deeper midfield role alongside Christian Nørgaard than he had against Brentford, found acres of space. Wigan’s tactical approach failed to stifle the creativity radiating from the England international. It took little time for the overwhelming nature of Arsenal’s attack to manifest. Eze received the ball with freedom, threading a perfect through ball that sliced the Wigan defense apart for Noni Madueke. Madueke’s composed finish left goalkeeper Sam Tickle helpless, opening the scoring.
Just seven minutes later, Eze demonstrated his ambidexterity and vision. He repeated the decisive assist, this time delivering a killer pass with his left foot, finding Gabriel Martinelli who gratefully slotted home. The quick-fire double effectively ended the contest before the half-hour mark, confirming the fears of Wigan’s interim management team, Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow. Whelan, who had sought advice from former teammate Keith Andrews on how to tackle the record 14-time FA Cup winners, saw his defensive structure crumble rapidly.
Wigan’s Defensive Nightmare
The third goal highlighted Wigan’s vulnerability on the flanks. Veteran defender Jack Hunt, who had a brief association with Crystal Palace years ago without making a first-team appearance, endured a miserable afternoon. He was the unfortunate culprit when Saka and Madueke combined brilliantly down the right wing. While Gabriel Jesus perhaps should have finished the initial cross, Hunt’s mistimed header only directed the ball awkwardly, leaving the 35-year-old exasperated. Mere moments later, Hunt was caught out again by a long pass from Nørgaard, picking out Jesus who made no mistake this time, completing the four-goal blitz within 27 minutes. The Arsenal faithful, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, began mocking the visitors with chants questioning their identity.
Wigan’s structural breakdown forced immediate action. Hunt was withdrawn for Matt Smith, an Arsenal academy product, as Whelan switched to a back four. Although they managed to stem the flow until halftime, the damage was irreversible. The second half saw tactical rotation for Arsenal, with Saka making way for Viktor Gyökeres, who immediately hit the post from a Ben White pass. Arteta also used the opportunity to introduce 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon for William Saliba, granting him a home debut, a positive sign for the club’s future prospects, later shifting to right-back when Ben White was treated and replaced.
Limiting the Damage and Future Focus
Despite the dominance, credit must be given to Sam Tickle, the Wigan goalkeeper, who made several outstanding saves, denying both Martinelli and Eze further goals and limiting the final scoreline. Martinelli’s tally in the FA Cup and Champions League this season now stands at ten goals, underscoring his consistency. For Wigan, the focus remains firmly on League One survival, a point acknowledged by Barrow, who noted that a small tactical tweak had made a difference in limiting the second-half scoreline. Their attention must now turn to the league as they await the likely return of Gary Caldwell, tipped to take over managerial duties.
This resounding victory keeps Arsenal’s ambitious hopes for an unprecedented quadruple firmly alive. More importantly than the scoreline, however, was the rediscovered confidence of Eberechi Eze. His playmaking ability, crucial against a lesser side, provides vital cover and dynamism just when the squad depth is being severely tested by injuries to key creative personnel. Mikel Arteta’s insistence on needing players back and fit to provide different options has been answered, at least temporarily, by Eze’s masterclass. As Arsenal look ahead to challenging fixtures against Wolves and the looming rematch with rivals Tottenham, Eze’s return to form is the biggest positive takeaway from a dominant FA Cup display. The Gunners march on, buoyed by the return of a genuine match-winner.
