Arsenal almost took the lead in the fifth minute when Yaya Sanogo connected with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's dipping cross from the right, but Scott Carson stabbed the header away with his foot before Ivan Ramis booted the ball to safety.

Scott Carson of Wigan Athletic makes a save from Yaya Sanogo of Arsenal during the FA Cup Semi-Final match on April 12, 2014 © Getty Images

Oxlade-Chamberlain continued to cause problems for the Championship side, and Carson had to be alert once more to spring from his line to deny the 20-year-old.

The best chance of the half fell to Bacary Sagna, who flashed a half-volley across the face of goal with his left foot after meeting Thomas Vermaelen's flick-on at the far post.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal is challenged by James McArthur of Wigan Athletic during the FA Cup Semi-Final match against Wigan Athletic on April 12, 2014 © Getty Images

At the other end, Callum McManaman took the ball on the outside of Vermaelen before fizzing a low cross into the box, which Per Mertesacker did well to clear.

Arsenal had the better of the ball, though, and after a period of possession on the edge of Wigan's box, the ball fell to Sanogo, but the young forward sliced his 20-yard effort high and wide.

Wigan then managed to forge a couple more half chances on the right side of the box. First, McManaman fired across goal from a tight angle, and then Marc-Antoine Fortune hit a shot at Wojciech Szczesny from a similar position.

Lukas Podolski sent a free kick wide at the other end before Sanogo was presented with a glorious opportunity to put Arsenal ahead, but the Frenchman hit the ball straight at Carson when one-on-one just three minutes before the break.