Arsenal 3-0 Wigan: Jay Simpson and Carlos Vela secure Carling Cup progress

Arsenal's young guns sent woeful Wigan crashing out of the Carling Cup with another stunning performance at the Emirates Stadium.

Two goals from Jay Simpson, on his first start for the club, and a third from Mexican starlet Carlos Vela put the Gunners into the fifth round.

Steve Bruce's side were never in the game and but for a fabulous display from goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, Wigan would have lost by a much greater scoreline.

Arsene Wenger made just one change from the Arsenal side which destroyed Sheffield United 6-0 in the third round of the Carling Cup for the last 16 clash with Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.

Nicklas Bendtner was replaced in attack by Jay Simpson as Wenger kept faith with his young guns.

Wigan made one change from the side which drew with Stoke at the weekend - Daniel de Ridder replacing injured Emile Heskey.

Arsenal's young guns had swept aside Sheffield United 6-0 in the previous round and they soon had an experienced Wigan side on the rack.
The potential of Wenger's youngsters was soon evident and they almost went ahead when Carlos Vela burst through the Wigan defence in the 12th minute.

The young striker attempted to round Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal but the goalkeeper managed to get a hand to the ball and divert it to safety.

But Wigan's inability to clear their lines only served up another chance for the Gunners and this time Jay Simpson rattled the crossbar with a ferocious effort.

Arsenal were now beginning to pick holes in the Wigan defence at will and when Vela set-up Kieran Gibbs in the 17th minute, it required another stunning save from Kirkland to keep the scores level.

But Wigan hit back and Arsenal had Fabianski to thank for denying Daniel de Ridder with a fine save.

Vela was causing all kinds of problems for the visiting defence and in the 20th minute he won a free-kick when Titus Bramble sent him tumbling 25 yards out.

Wigan almost paid a costly price for the foul as Aaron Ramsey's free-kick was only just kept out by a superb one-handed stop from Kirkland.

Seconds later Kirkland repeated the feat to keep out a long-range Vela effort that was destined for the top corner.

The impressive striker had attempted to curl the ball into the corner but Kirkland somehow managed to get his fingertips to it.

Arsenal's youngsters were controlling the game and their refreshing attack-minded display was a joy to watch.

However, Wigan still had their moments and Zaki was again unable to direct his header on target when de Ridder had managed to engineer some space on the right flank to send over a dangerous cross.

But Arsenal continued to pile forward and Maynor Figueroa had to time his tackle well to prevent Simpson from moving in on goal in the 35th minute.

A corner by Jack Wilshere moments later presented Johan Djourou with a chance to open the scoring but the ball would just not come down quick enough for the defender to get his shot away and Wigan cleared the danger.

In the 39th minute Arsenal's Fran Merida cut in from the left and sent a low drive heading towards goal only for the ball to take a deflection and spin just wide.

Arsenal's Mark Randall was penalised for a foul on de Ridder in the 41st minute but Fabianski dealt comfortably with the subsequent free-kick.

But Kirkland's heroics counted for nothing when he was finally beaten in the 42nd minute.

It was a typically clever Arsenal move as Simpson latched on to a superb through-ball from Wilshere and poked past the keeper despite a late lunge from Mario Melchiot.

Wigan began the second half far brighter and Zaki should have done better from the edge of the penalty area in the 51st minute but his shot was dealt with easily by Fabianski.
Arsenal responded quickly with Simpson heading a cross from Merida just over the bar.

In the 57th minute Merida forced Kirkland into another fine save with a low 20-yard drive which swerved all the way. A minute later Wigan boss Steve Bruce replaced midfielder Jason Koumas with striker Henri Camara.

In the 62nd minute Arsenal almost went two in front when a wonderful piece of skill from Ramsey set up Gibbs, who sped into the penalty area and unleashed an angled drive that Kirkland saved with his feet.

Mexican Vela also went close a minute later when his drive rose just too high to trouble Kirkland, but in the 67th minute, a stunning counter-attack brought Arsenal their second.

Vela ran the length of the Wigan half, leaving Emmerson Boyce trailing in his wake, before crossing for Simpson to apply a simple finish.

It was swift, incisive and deadly and a further example of Arsenal's young stars at their very best.

Steve Bruce's side had no answer to Ramsey and Wilshere in midfield and Vela made it three in the 70th minute when he produced a superb chip over Kirkland from 18 yards.

Vela almost added a fourth in the 83rd minute but he was beaten to the ball by Kirkland.

He was then afforded a standing ovation from the Arsenal faithful when he was replaced by Rui Fonte with five minutes remaining.

Wigan were robbed of a consolation goal in the 88th minute when Fabianski made a stunning double save from De Ridder and Zaki.

Carlos Vela factfile - find out more about the young striker with our Mirror.co.uk guide.

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