Arsenal's youngsters impressed once again as they outclassed Wigan Athletic 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

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Jay Simpson marked his first Arsenal start with a goal either side of the break before Carlos Vela sealed the victory with a delightful lob.

Arsene Wenger made just one change from the Arsenal side which destroyed Sheffield United 6-0 in the third round with Simpson replacing Nicklas Bendtner and it was the 19-year-old local lad who broke the deadlock three minutes before the break.

16-year-old Jack Wilshere, one of eight teenagers in the home starting line-up, threaded a superb left-footed pass through to Simpson who got to the ball ahead of Mario Melchiot and poked the opening goal beyond Chris Kirkland.

Simpson had earlier struck the crossbar while the Latics were thankful to Kirkland who made four excellent saves inside the opening 25 minutes.

He got a vital touch on the ball when Vela tried to round him before saving with his left hand to deny Kieran Gibbs following a surging run from the left-back.

The former Liverpool keeper also had to scramble full length to his left to claw out Aaron Ramsey's curling free-kick and, despite seemingly struggling with a back injury, dived full length to his right to push away Vela's 25 yard curler that was destined for the top corner.

Lukasz Fabianski was forced into one save from Daniel De Ridder but apart from some hesitancy dealing with crosses and long throws, he was otherwise untroubled.

Wigan, who apart from the injured Emile Heskey had a first choice side on view, thought they should have been awarded a penalty early in the second-half when the ball clearly struck the raised hand of Johan Djourou as he challenged Titus Bramble.

Kirkland had to be alert again to stop Fran Merida's swerving 25 yard shot before Gibbs stung his palms once more but he had no chance as Simpson added a second after 66 minutes.

It was a classic counter attack goal from the Gunners as Maynor Figueroa's cross was punched away by Fabianski and then curled into the path of Vela on the left wing who nipped the ball away from Emmerson Boyce before squaring to Simpson who slammed home his second.

And four minutes later Djourou threaded a ball through to Vela and the man who scored a hat-trick against the Blades escaped the attentions of Boyce before dispatching a delightful lob over Kirkland.

Wigan's night was summed up in the final minute when their best player De Ridder had his shot palmed away by Fabianski who then turned the follow-up from Amr Zaki on to the crossbar.