Simpson opened the scoring after 41 minutes, the home side full value for their half-time lead after dominating in all areas, and two goals in as many minutes midway through the second period from Simpson again and Vela were no more than the young Guns deserved.

Arsenal had come close to taking the lead with only 13 minutes on the clock when Vela broke down the middle only for Chris Kirkland to dive at his feet and tip the ball away to safety.

Latics had a let-off seconds later when Simpson drilled the ball against the crossbar, and Kirkland was forced into another save from Kieran Gibbs as the home side turned the screw.

Wigan's first chance on 16 minutes when the impressive Daniel de Ridder's drive brought a good save from Lukasz Fabianski, but the home side were soon back in the ascendancy.

Kirkland was called into the action again on the 20-minute mark when he moved smartly to his left to palm out a free kick from Aaron Ramsey.

Despite appearing to be troubled by a back strain, Kirkland then made another superb stop, this time diving to his right, to keep out a left-footed curler from Vela.

Zaki headed over on the half-hour mark as Latics enjoyed a decent spell, but they were unable to force a breakthrough – and were made to pay four minutes before the break.

Jack Wilshere played a lovely ball through for Simpson to slide the ball under Kirkland for the opening goal, his first for the club.

Latics had a huge shout for a penalty at the start of the second half when Johan Djourou appeared to handle the ball, only for the referee to wave away the valid claims.

And salt was rubbed into the Latics wounds on 66 minutes when Vela pipped Emmerson Boyce to the ball down the Arsenal left, the Mexican advancing before slipping the ball inside for Simpson to fire past Titus Bramble on the goalline.

Arsenal added a third two minutes later when Vela raced on to a through ball from Djourou and produced a sublime to chip to leave Kirkland helpless.

Wigan's night was summed up a minute from time when De Ridder embarked on a mazy dribble past four defenders only to fire his shot at Fabianski, who then pulled off a stunning save from Zaki's follow-up volley.

Emile Heskey had been, as expected, ruled out with a hamstring injury, with De Ridder taking his place in a five-man midfield.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named a youthful-looking team, with an average age of just 19.

Wigan: Kirkland; Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa; De Ridder, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Koumas; Zaki. Subs:- Camara (for Koumas), Brown (for Cattermole).