Published: 09:06, February 16, 2026
FA Cup: Arsenal stroll to Wigan win as Wolves survive Grimsby mud bath
By Reuters
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli (center) scores his side's second goal during the English FA Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic in London, Feb 15, 2026. (PHOTO / AP)

LONDON - Arsenal scored all their goals in the opening 27 minutes of Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over League One Wigan Athletic, while Leeds United needed penalties and Wolverhampton Wanderers endured a mud bath on a good day for top-flight sides.

Any hopes of a Wigan upset in North London were swiftly ended as Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both scored from Eberechi Eze assists, before defender Jack Hunt put the ball into his own net.

When Gabriel Jesus netted a fourth just before the half-hour mark it looked as though it would be a rout but Wigan managed to limit the damage as they tightened up at the back and Arsenal took their foot off the pedal.

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka (left) and Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match in Birmingham, England, Feb 15, 2026. (PHOTO / PA VIA AP)

Second-tier Birmingham City equalized late on at home to Leeds with a Patrick Roberts screamer after Lukas Nmecha had put the visitors ahead shortly after the interval.

Leeds converted all their penalties in the shoot-out while Birmingham's Tommy Doyle had his effort saved by Lucas Perri before Roberts blazed over the bar.

Wolves look condemned to second-tier football next season but they maintained their interest in the Cup with a 1-0 win at in-form fourth-tier Grimsby Town on a quagmire of a pitch resembling those of yesteryear.

READ MORE: Man City beat Salford, Newcastle knock out Villa, Liverpool cruise in FA Cup

With rain falling on an already saturated pitch, the surface churned up, leaving little chance of flowing football. Santiago Bueno scored the only goal on the hour, diverting a Joao Gomes cross past goalkeeper Jackson Smith.

Grimsby Town's Jayden Sweeney (top left) and Cameron McJannet in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mateus Mane during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Grimsby Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Grimsby, England, Feb 15, 2026. (PHOTO / PA VIA AP)

Grimsby, who knocked Manchester United out of the League Cup this season, rarely offered a goal threat and their only effort on target was Andy Cook's late header.

A much-changed Fulham came from a goal down to win 2-1 at second-tier Stoke City with goals by Kevin and Harrison Reed ensuring they did not lose a fourth successive match.

Sunderland also reached the fifth round with a 1-0 win at Championship strugglers Oxford United - Habib Diarra's first-half penalty proving enough for Regis Le Bris' side.