SOCCER/Arsenal 3 Wigan 0:THE FEELGOOD factor at Arsenal is not confined to their First XI. On what became a humiliating night for Wigan Athletic, Arsène Wenger rang the changes to the side that restored morale in the triumph over Manchester United last Saturday and watched his second string produce a performance laced with sumptuous class.
The Emirates crowd revelled in the midfield vision of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere and the touch of Carlos Vela up front while they could also celebrate Jay Simpson's first goals for the club.
As Arsenal strolled to victory it was tempting to wonder how this team might fare over a 38-game Premier League season.
Steve Bruce had virtually his strongest Wigan team out and saw them swatted aside with contemptuous ease. Wenger has pledged to stick with these players all the way to a possible Wembley final. They are now two rounds away.
It was a measure of the respect that Bruce had for Arsenal's starting line-up, which had an average age of 19, that he opted to play Daniel de Ridder in a five-man midfield. The two mascots were 13 years old and prompted one or two double takes during the warm-up.
Did Arsenal have extra players on the pitch? The youngest starter was Wilshere at 16 and there were flashes from him on the right of midfield to suggest a player of rich promise. His quick feet were a delight while his upright style ensured that his head was always up for openings. Fabio Capello, seated in the stands, will have noted one for the future.
Arsenal tore into Wigan in a purple patch around the 15-minute mark that ought to have yielded the lead for them. Fran Merida sent Vela clean through and the Mexican, who had destroyed Sheffield United in the previous round with a hat-trick, looked odds-on to score. Chris Kirkland, though, saved as Vela attempted to round him. The danger did not pass and when Wilshere fed Simpson, the striker spun and rattled a shot against the crossbar.
Kirkland was called upon to make a clutch of first-half saves, most notably from Kieran Gibbs, who had marauded through from left-back. He also kept out Ramsey with a one-handed stop from a 25-yard free-kick and Vela from another curling effort.
At the other end, Gibbs was not so eye-catching in his defensive duties and Wigan threatened on his flank. De Ridder forced Lukasz Fabianski into a good save and Jason Koumas drove over.
Arsenal got the goal that they deserved to go into the interval in the lead. Once again, Wilshere's vision shone brightly, his through-ball encouraging Simpson to strain every sinew to get there ahead of the covering Mario Melchiot and the advancing Kirkland. He did, and his low first-time finish imbued his full debut with an indelible memory.
Arsenal had been dealt a blow when it was revealed that Tomas Rosicky had undergone further surgery. The midfielder has not played since January because of the tendon problem which was originally misdiagnosed.
Wigan have struggled of late and it was imperative that they raised their game in the second half. Bruce's introduction of the extra striker, Henri Camara, just before the hour felt overdue.
Arsenal, however, continued to probe with menace, nobody more so than Ramsey. He tricked forward and timed his pass to perfection for Gibbs who drew another save from Kirkland.
It was then Ramsey who turned defence into attack for the second. From Fabianski's punch, he sent Vela away down the left. Vela's astute cutback was made to measure for Simpson.
Vela also got the goal that his work merited. Latching on to Johan Djourou's pass, he shrugged off Titus Bramble before chipping over Kirkland. This was chastening stuff for Bruce. And when Fabianski tipped Amr Zaki's volley on to the underside of his crossbar and away, Bruce was denied even a consolation.
ARSENAL: Fabianski, Hoyte, Song Billong, Djourou, Gibbs, Wilshere (Bischoff 76), Randall, Ramsey, Merida, Simpson (Lansbury 76), Vela (Fonte 84). Subs not used: Mannone, Coquelin, Ogogo, Frimpong. Booked: Ramsey.
WIGAN: Kirkland, Cattermole (Brown 67), Boyce, Bramble, Melchiot, Valencia, Koumas (Camara 58), Palacios, De Ridder, Figueroa, Zaki. Subs not used: Kingson, Taylor, Scharner, Kilbane, Cywka.
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset).
