For the first hour of the game at the JJB Stadium, Arsenal were as abject as they have been at any time this season. And that’ s saying something. They were fortunate to be only 1-0 down and still have 11 men on the field. Kiaran Gibbs should have been red carded. Johan Djourou looks as if he will be out for the season and Mikael Silvestre was frankly dire defensively. Partnering Tweetie Pie with Toure would have made for a more solid backline. The team were well and truly on the ropes.

Then, Arsene Wenger finally decided to abandon the 4-5-1 that had produced so little in this match and remove a poor Denilson for an attacker – Robin van Persie. It didn’t take long for Arsenal to click into gear going forward and the goals flowed. Andrey Arshavin had done very little all game, but then popped up with some moments of brilliance that played a part in three of the goals. Like Dennis Bergkamp, he’s the kind of player that makes you wonder why the manager bothered picking him and then he does a couple of things that change a game.

I hope this was a bad performance the team needed to get out of their system. For that tortuous first 60 minutes, the ball was given away far too cheaply and Wigan presented with enough chances to have killed the game dead. Bendtner, up front and on his own worked manfully but did not have the quality to retain the ball or bring his midfielders into the play. I’ve been slated for stating my belief that he isn’t good enough, but I saw nothing at Wigan to make me change my mind. Effort can only take you so far. He is too inconsistent and I can’t see that changing as he matures. But it was not his fault he had to lead the line solo. The manager took that gamble, evidently prioritizing the return leg against Villarreal. It’s hardly the first time he’s rested players in the league game ahead of a European knockout fixture. This time, he managed to get away with it.

Still, after last season’s run-in, the club are due the rub of the green. I haven’t yet seen Steve Bruce’s post-match interview, but I think I can guess that the decision to only book Gibbs and his subsequent clearance off the line will be the high point of his frustration. When Fabianski and Silvestre demonstrated their ineptitude dealing with that high ball that Mido nearly scored from, it gave a clear message to Chelsea that all they need to do at Wembley is ping a few lobs into Didier Drogba and the passage to the final should be a smooth one.

Cup games can be strange affairs that defy logic, but after watching Arsenal struggle against Wigan, I have little hope that a combination of Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre and Gibbs can hold Villarreal, Chelsea and (back in the league) Liverpool at bay over the next eleven days. I hope I am wrong. Clutching at straws, I’d say that attack is pretty much the team’s only form of defence. So forget 4-5-1 and go at the opposition with all guns blazing. There’s no chance of keeping a clean sheet against anyone, so a policy of simply trying to outscore the opposition is pretty much the only way to go. Almunia’s out, Gallas has gone, Clichy is absent, Djourou won’t be back in a hurry. The defence is on its last legs and the big games of the season are about to come thick and fast.

I am delighted the team managed to turn it around after an hour, but the danger signs were there to see for anyone who witnessed the match in its entirety. Well done on a terrific result, but I can’t see the side making it to the Middlesbrough game without conceding at least half a dozen goals. Here’s hoping they can stick away a few at the other end. Get ready for one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now…