Class on and off the pitch: Wigan’s Graham Barrow reflects on facing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal

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Wigan’s caretaker manager Graham Barrow had a test tougher than any in England right now as his side visited Arsenal in the FA Cup.

The League One side knew they were in for a tough ride as Arsenal scored four goals in 16 minutes to settle the tie before half-time.

For Mikel Arteta’s side, it was a top performance against Wigan, but for the visitors, it was a brutal reminder of the gulf in class between the top of the Premier League and the bottom three of League One.

Though Arsenal scored four goals in the first half, it was an entertaining game of football, as Wigan also had some chances and managed to limit the Gunners enough to play out a goalless second half.

• READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli matches Ian Wright’s rare Arsenal goalscoring record that was set over 30 years ago

Graham Barrow praises the professionalism of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta after Wigan FA Cup win

It might have been a punishing outing for Wigan, but the Latics still came away with a lot of love for the team that pulled them apart in the first half.

Speaking to the media post-match, Barrow was eager to shine a positive light on Arsenal, sharing an insight into what the hosts were like both behind the scenes and on the pitch.

“They were very professional in everything they did,” Barrow said, adding, “they paid us the utmost respect, both the manager and the team.”

It was a respectful environment between the two sides, who played each other for the 22nd time competitively in their first meeting since the 2014 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Arsenal’s possible FA Cup fifth-round opponents

Unlike in 2014, Wigan won’t be making it to Wembley to challenge for the FA Cup, but Arsenal could.

Who would you most like to face next in the FA Cup and who would you like Arsenal to avoid?

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The FA Cup fifth round draw takes place at 18:35 on Monday, 16th February, and Arsenal will be ball six.

The Gunners could face one of their Premier League rivals in the next round, which will be played around the weekend commencing March 7th.

Arsenal are the team to beat in England, sitting top of the Premier League table, and against Wigan, they showed that they’re not here to be a part of a ‘magic of the FA Cup’ storyline this season.

All eyes will be on who is next for Arsenal, who will learn their next opponent on Monday night.