Arsenal 3 Wigan 0: Match Report & Player Ratings

Arsenal's young lions put in another very impressive performance at the Emirates last night to see off Premiership opponents Wigan 3-0. It was especially satisfying considering Wigan manager Steve Bruce picked his strongest available team.

Arsenal fielded a squad, average age 19 - the oldest player being 23-year-old goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski.

In fact, the game nearly started badly for Fabianski, when he made a hash of coming out for a long Wigan throw. On 6 minutes, another long throw, this time Fabianski stays on his line - but in all honesty, Wigan's tactics were a poor imitation of Stoke.

On 11, another Fabianski mistake when he comes for an outswinging corner and gets nowhere near it. The Polish goalkeeper is assertive, but making the wrong choices.

On 13, the first clear chance of the game when Vela races clean through. He tries to round Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, but an outstretched arm pokes the ball from Vela's feet. He should have done better - like square it for Jay Simpson who might have poked the ball into an empty net. However, Wigan make a hash of the clearance, and the ball does drop to Simpson, who turns neatly and strikes a rising shot off the top of the bar.

On 15, Vela is involved again, threading a wonderful reverse through ball to left-back Kieran Gibbs who strikes staight at Kirkland - again Simpson was standing in acres of space but didn't receive the square pass. Arsenal's kids showing a touch of naivity.

The game is see-sawing, like most Arsenal games have this season. On 16, a Daniel De Ridder strike forces a good stop from Fabianski. De Ridder is causing plenty of problems down Arsenal's left-side, with converted full back Gibbs struggling to cope. Meanwhile, two further observations - Mark Randall gives the ball away too much, and Jack Wilshere is phenomenal wriggling out of tight spaces - he is Paul Scholes mark II.

On 20, an Aaron Ramsey free-kick forces a quality save from Kirkland, who appears to have injured his back in the process.

Arsenal's kids look sharper and quicker to second balls, which is making the difference. On 22 Vela finds himself right of centre, takes a touch inside and hits a fantastic curling shot that Kirkland does very well to tip around the post.

Up the other end, Wigan continue to cause Arsenal problems down the right flank, particularly Valencia on Gibbs. Fran Merida is giving Gibbs no back up whatsoever, and thankfully Wigan's crossing is abysmal - Djourou and Song clearing almost everything with ease.

With the half petering out, Wilshere collects in midfield - being pressed from behind he turns neatly and threads a great through ball into an ocean of space between the Wigan centre backs. Simpson is on hand to run into the gap, advancing on goal he slides the ball under Kirkland. 1-0 Arsenal. Great turn, and great vision by Wilshere!

As expected, Wigan raise the tempo for the second half. An early throw into Arsenal's half sees Djourou jump with arm raised. The ball flicks off his hand. Should have been a penalty, but for some reason the ref doesn't see it despite standing 15 yards away. Arsenal counter, Gibbs to Merida who crosses for Simpson, his header rising just over Kirkland's bar.

On 54, Song makes a magnificent strong challenge in midfield. Wigan have raised their game, but Arsenal have matched that by raising their commitment. On 56, a long range effort from Merida is smartly stopped by Kirkland, again, this follows good work from midfield maestro Wilshere.

Two minutes later and Bruce changes Wigan's shape to 4-4-2, bring Henri Camara on to partner the so-far unimpressive Amr Zaki. This gives Ramsey and Wilshere more room in the middle, and Ramsey plays Gibbs in beautifully for a strike at goal.

Then on 65, Vela counter-attacks, showing great pace - one-on-one with Kirkland he looks up and plays the ball across goal for Simpson who slots home from 10 yards. 2-0 Arsenal. Game over.

Five minutes later, Vela takes a Djourou through-ball on the outside of his left foot and away from Bramble. Vela tussles with Bramble to the edge of the box then somehow chips miraculously over Kirklands head. 3-0 - a wonder goal!

Vela earns the Emirates crowd's Mexican wave - done in typically shoddy English fashion it has to be said.

Wigan hunt for a consollation. On 87, De Ridder does some great work on Arsenal's right, beating several players, his strike is well parried by Fabianski but drops straight to Zaki in the box. Zaki's strike is then tipped on to the bar superly by the ultra-mobile Fabianski. That made his night!

So Arsenal saunter into the quarter final. On this evidence, if the draw is kind they have a good chance of making it to the final - and then anything can happen. Once again, a highly impressive performance from Wenger's second string - a joy to watch. The first team - many of which were present last night - could certainly learn a thing or two about collective commitment.