Had it not been for a series of saves from Chris Kirkland, the margin of victory for the Gunners would have been much wider. Thomas Vermaelen netted twice, with Eduardo and Cesc Fabrgas claiming the others.
After a slow start to the game, the best early opportunity came on 14 minutes when William Gallas' header beat Kirkland but was cleared off the line by Mario Melchiot.
Robin van Persie sent a free-kick just wide on 16 minutes, with Kirkland beaten once again but, despite all the football being played in Wigan's half, there was little else to show for the Gunners' good work until that time.
Van Persie should have done better when teed up by Emmanuel Eboue, but the ball bounced off his shin for a goal-kick.
Eboue was in fact becoming Arsenal's main threat and, seconds earlier, had a shot deflected just over the bar. He was then booked as he handled in front of goal when he went to meet Eduardo's cross from the left.
Vermaelen opened the scoring on 25 minutes with yet another headed goal for the Gunners new boy who rose highest to power home van Persie's inswinging right-side corner.
Kirkland kept the deficit to one with two fine saves in quick succession in the 42nd minute. He first blocked van Persie's shot on the run and then saved Eboue's follow-up effort.
Eboue set up Arsenal's second goal on 49 minutes when he returned the ball to Vermaelen who guided a sweet dipping and curling left-foot shot into the top right corner of the net beyond Kirkland's outstretched arm.
Roberto Martinez tried to inject some urgency with a double substitution on 58 minutes, and one of the introductions, Jason Scotland, forced Vito Mannone to make his second real save of the match.
Any hopes of that sparking a revival were gone within seconds when Eduardo made it 3-0, although Eboue could also claim the goal.
The Croat's volley from Gael Clichy's cross struck the base of the right upright before bouncing back to Eduardo whose next effort went in off the calf of Eboue.
With seconds left, Fabregas made it 4-0 when he flicked in a low cross from the right precisely driven in by Nicklas Bendtner.