ARSENAL reached the last four of the Carling Cup at a freezing Emirates Stadium, thanks to a first half own goal by Antolin Alcaraz and a 65th-minute killer goal by Nicklas Bendtner
Robin van Persie returned to lead Arsenal — the Dutchman's first start since late August, when he suffered an ankle injury. He joined Theo Walcott, Bendtner and Carlos Vela in an attacking Gunners line-up.
Emmanuel Eboue was fit after a knee problem, but captain Cesc Fabregas was still out with a hamstring injury. Wojciech Szczesny started in goal, with youngster James Shea preferred on the bench to the fit-again Manuel Almunia.
Wigan, beaten at West Ham on Saturday, welcomed back captain Alcaraz from suspension, but on-loan Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley was unavailable. Arsenal missed a great chance to take an early lead when Bendtner failed to connect with his free header at the far post from Van Persie's deep free-kick.
To their credit, Premier League strugglers Wigan tried to knock the ball around crisply. Victor Moses darted down the left and cut back inside to the Arsenal penalty area before drilling a low shot into the side netting.
Arsenal upped the pace as the first half wore on, and Maynor Figueroa bodychecked Walcott, which saw referee Martin Atkinson immediately reach for a yellow card. England youth international Moses was carried off after landing awkwardly on his wrist, and on a stretcher, replaced by Charles N'Zogbia.
Arsenal went ahead on 42 minutes through an own goal. Walcott's corner caused all sorts of problems in the Wigan six-yard box, with Alcaraz flicking the ball into the net under pressure from Bendtner.
Arsenal started the second half eager to stretch their lead, and and Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi had to rush off his line to stop Van Persie nipping in for the second. Wigan were showing signs of recovery as the snow fell thicker in North London, but Bendtner grabbed Arsenal's second on 65 minutes.
Van Persie was at the heart of the move, slipping the ball out left to Carlos Vela, whose perfect cross was slid in by Bendtner. With the tie now safe, Arsenal took off Van Persie and Wilshere, replaced by Craig Eastmond and Samir Nasri.
Walcott almost made it three when he cut in from the left and curled a low effort just wide of the far post. Figueroa looked to have blocked Walcott's angled shot with his arms, but the officials did not agree. Nasri broke into the box and rounded the keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line by James McArthur.
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