Arsenal Player Ratings vs Wigan: Eberechi Eze Shines as Gunners Cruise Into FA Cup Fifth Round
The Arsenal player ratings vs Wigan clash in the FA Cup fourth round tells the story of a dominant evening for Arsenal, as they comfortably secured passage into the fifth round. With fluid attacking football, intelligent midfield control, and defensive assurance, the Gunners made light work of their lower-league opponents.
But the headline belonged to one man. Eberechi Eze was back in business, delivering a performance brimming with confidence, creativity, and decisive end product. His display electrified the Emirates crowd and underlined why he is quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s most influential attacking talents.
Here’s our full breakdown and Arsenal player ratings vs Wigan from a professional journalist’s perspective.
Match Overview: Arsenal Cruise with Authority
From the first whistle, Arsenal imposed themselves. The tempo was sharp, the passing crisp, and the pressing relentless. Wigan struggled to cope with the Gunners’ rotations in midfield and width provided by the full-backs.
An early goal settled nerves before Arsenal added further strikes either side of halftime. By the hour mark, the result felt inevitable. The FA Cup, a competition steeped in history, remains a serious objective for Mikel Arteta’s side, and this performance showed their intent.
Arsenal Player Ratings vs Wigan (1–10 Scale)
Goalkeeper
David Raya – 7/10
Had little to do but remained alert when called upon. Distribution was calm and precise, helping Arsenal build from the back effectively.
Defence
Ben White – 7.5/10
Composed in possession and offered intelligent overlapping runs. Defensively solid against limited threats.
William Saliba – 8/10
Imperious at the heart of defence. Read the game superbly and dominated aerial duels.
Gabriel Magalhães – 7.5/10
Physical presence was evident. Cleared danger comfortably and contributed to set-piece dominance.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7/10
Operated effectively inverting into midfield. Controlled the tempo and recycled possession intelligently.
Midfield
Declan Rice – 8/10
Shielded the defence and dictated transitions. His ball recoveries prevented Wigan from building momentum.
Martin Ødegaard – 8.5/10
Orchestrated attacks with elegance. His vision and movement between the lines caused constant problems.
Kai Havertz – 7.5/10
Linked play effectively and made intelligent late runs into the box. Growing in confidence within this system.
Attack
Bukayo Saka – 8/10
Direct and dangerous on the right flank. Assisted one goal and stretched the defence throughout.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7.5/10
Energetic and aggressive in pressing. His pace forced defensive errors.
Eberechi Eze – 9/10 ⭐ Man of the Match
The standout performer in these Arsenal player ratings vs Wigan. Eze’s movement was unpredictable, his dribbling electric, and his finishing clinical. He scored once and assisted another, but beyond the numbers, his flair lifted the entire attack. Every time he received the ball, something happened. This was a statement performance.
Tactical Analysis: Why Arsenal Dominated
High Press and Quick Transitions
Arsenal’s pressing structure suffocated Wigan’s buildup. Rice and Ødegaard closed passing lanes, forcing turnovers high up the pitch.
Wide Overloads
White and Zinchenko pushed forward, creating overloads with Saka and Martinelli. This stretched Wigan’s defensive block and opened central spaces for Eze to exploit.
Fluid Front Three
Eze frequently drifted between lines, interchanging positions with Saka and Martinelli. This positional flexibility disrupted defensive marking schemes.
Key Moments in the Match
Early Breakthrough
Arsenal’s opener came from sustained pressure. A quick passing move sliced through midfield before Eze calmly slotted home.
Midfield Mastery
The second goal highlighted Arsenal’s dominance. Ødegaard’s incisive through-ball found Saka, who squared for a simple finish.
Game Management
In the closing stages, Arsenal controlled possession expertly, conserving energy while maintaining defensive discipline.
What This Means for Arsenal’s FA Cup Campaign
Progression to the fifth round keeps the momentum alive. The FA Cup represents a realistic silverware opportunity this season, and performances like this suggest depth and maturity within the squad.
Arteta rotated intelligently, yet the team maintained cohesion. That’s a hallmark of serious contenders.
Final Thoughts: A Statement Win
The Arsenal player ratings vs Wigan reflect more than just individual brilliance — they underline collective authority.
Eberechi Eze’s return to top form is perhaps the biggest takeaway. When he plays with this level of confidence and freedom, Arsenal’s attacking ceiling rises dramatically.
If this performance is a sign of things to come, Arsenal’s rivals should take note. The Gunners are not merely participating in the FA Cup — they are hunting it.
