Wigan Vela-ed Off

Arsenal 3 Simpson 2 Vela
Wigan 0

As usual I have to wake up in the wee hours in the morning in order to catch the Arsenal youngsters in action but as it was against Sheffield United in the last round, it was totally worth it.

Another scintillating first half display (according to the commentator as I woke up with just five minutes of the half to go) was rewarded with a Jay Simpson goal that separated both teams at the break.

Then the young Gunners just continued where they left off and when you thought there was a hint of a fightback by Wigan, they just struck. As Wigan pressured the Arsenal defence, captain for the night Lukasz Fabianski punched away a cross and the ball found it's way to Carlos Vela.

The Mexican international's pace was simply too hot to handle and he cut to the byline with ease. Having the mind of a team player he squared the ball to Simpson who finished cooly for his second of the night and distanced Arsenal from their more experienced opponents.

A while later it was 3-0, as Vela displayed the kind of skill that made Arsene Wenger persisted in bringing him to the Arsenal fold. Another ball out from defence from Johan Djourou found Vela who flicked the ball towards goal.

Then it was a race with a defender to the ball and Vela just nicked it with a sublime chip that sailed over the bemused Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal. It was such a priceless look, as I remembered he was one of the biggest culprit when it came to time wasting at the Emirates a couple of season back.

He did not waste any time tonight.

It was also a good outing for Fran Merida, whose long range effort had Kirkland scrambling to save and also for Kieran Gibbs. The young left-side player forced the Wigan custodian into making a couple of hard saves during the match.

Eduardo da Silva appeared on the TV screen tonight, and I really hope to see him in action real soon. But one of Wenger's summer acquisition did get his first competitive action in Arsenal colours during the match.

Amaury Bischoff was given his debut when he came on for Jack Wilshere, whose pass released Simpson for the first goal. It was a descent performance under a no pressure situation.

However, in the closing stages Wigan did pile up the pressure and Fabianski was forced to work hard to keep his clean sheen dream intact. Daniel de Ridder's mazy run ended up with a shot with the Polish goalkeeper did well to save but Henri Camara was following up.

Fabianski did well to get up quickly and got his hand on the goal bound ball and push it against the bar. Arsenal eventually cleared the danger and saw out the match.

Now we are in the last eight, I wonder who we could be facing next?

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