The average age of Arsenal's starting line-up was just 19 but they tore woeful Wigan apart with the same kind of exciting football that despatched Sheffield United 6-0 in the previous round.
Two goals from Jay Simpson capped his first start for the club and a third from Mexican star Carlos Vela put Arsene Wenger's side into the fifth round in some style.
The attacking potency of Wenger's youngsters had been evident as early as the 12th minute when Vela burst through the Wigan defence.
He attempted to round Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal but the keeper managed to get a hand to the ball and divert it to safety.
But Wigan's inability to clear their lines only served up another chance for the Gunners and this time Simpson rattled the crossbar with a ferocious effort.
Arsenal were now beginning to pick holes in the Wigan defence at will and when Vela set-up Kieran Gibbs in the 17th minute, it required another stunning save from Kirkland to keep the scores level.
But Wigan hit back and Arsenal had Lucasz Fabianski to thank for denying Daniel de Ridder with a fine save.
Vela was causing all kinds of problems for the visiting defence and in the 20th minute he won a free-kick when Titus Bramble sent him tumbling 25 yards out.
Wigan almost paid a costly price for the foul as Aaron Ramsey's free-kick was only just kept out by a superb one-handed stop from Kirkland.
Seconds later Kirkland repeated the feat to keep out a long-range Vela effort that was destined for the top corner.
The impressive striker had attempted to curl the ball into the corner but Kirkland somehow managed to get his fingertips to it.
Arsenal were controlling the game and their refreshing attack-minded display was a joy to watch.
However, Wigan still had their moments and Amr Zaki was again unable to direct his header on target when De Ridder had managed to engineer some space on the right flank to send over a dangerous cross.
But Arsenal continue to pile forward and Maynor Figueroa had to time his tackle well to prevent Simpson from moving in on goal in the 35th minute.
A corner by Jack Wilshere moments later presented Johan Djourou with a chance to open the scoring but the ball would just not come down quick enough for the defender to get his shot away and Wigan cleared the danger.
In the 39th minute Arsenal's Fran Merida cut in from the left wing and sent a low drive heading towards goal only for the ball to take a deflection and spin just wide.
Arsenal's Mark Randall was penalised for a foul on De Ridder in the 41st minute but Fabianski dealt comfortably with the subsequent free-kick.
But Kirkland's heroics counted for nothing when he was finally beaten a minute later.
It was a typically clever Arsenal move as Simpson latched on to a superb through-ball from Wilshere and poked the ball beyond the keeper despite a late lunge from Mario Melchiot.
Wigan began the second half far brighter and Zaki should have done better from the edge of the penalty area in the 51st minute but his shot was dealt with easily by Fabianski.
But Arsenal responded quickly with Simpson heading a cross from Merida just over the crossbar.
In the 57th minute Merida forced Kirkland into another fine save with a low 20-yard drive that swerved all the way.
A minute later Wigan boss Steve Bruce replaced midfielder Jason Koumas with striker Henri Camara.
In the 62nd minute Arsenal almost went 2-0 up when a wonderful piece of skill from Ramsey set up Gibbs who sped into the penalty area and unleashed an angled drive that Kirkland saved with his feet.
Mexican Vela also went close a minute later when his drive rose just too high to trouble Kirkland.
But in the 67th minute, a stunning counter attack brought Arsenal their second.
Vela ran the length of the Wigan half, leaving Emmerson Boyce trailing in his wake, before crossing for Simpson to apply a simple finish.
The Mexican made it three for Arsenal in the 70th minute when he produced a superb chip over Kirkland from 18 yards to finish another wonderful night for the young Gunners.
Wigan's night was made more miserable two minutes from time when they were robbed of a consolation goal by a fantastic double save from Fabianski.
Wenger delighted by young crop
Arsene Wenger watched in delight as his young guns put Wigan out of the Carling Cup with another stylish performance at the Emirates Stadium.
"I enjoyed every minute of it," said Wenger. "It was a big test for such a young team. Many players were under 18 tonight and we stood up to the test and got a remarkable combination of desire, energy and quality.
"From the first to the last minute we looked really up for it. We had a relentless go. In the end it was a fantastic win.
"These boys, they surprise everybody because there is a mixture of character, commitment and calm as well. Under pressure they remain extremely calm and play always very good football.
"What they do on the pitch is not a coincidence, it is quality. I will keep them together to see how far they can go. First we had Sheffield United and then Wigan.
"They were different challenges but now you know they can turn up and produce. It is interesting to go into the quarter-final and to see who we get.
"Simpson had a great pre-season but we have great competition in the strikers with Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, but he has shown again tonight his character and that he is physically strong.
"He has shown he is a good player. He was player of the year last year when he was on loan with Millwall last season."
Disappointed Wigan boss Steve Bruce admitted his side had had their "backsides kicked" by a "frightening" Arsenal second string.
"I am not going to make excuses, even though three or four of our players are under the weather," said Bruce.
"We simply didn't make it a cup-tie. We gave them time and space and freedom to enjoy themselves.
"I thought we should have had a penalty for handball and if we had made it 1-1, it might have been different. But I am not going to make excuses.
"They were frightening on the night. The age of them. Arsene says it is the best crop of youngsters he's had and when you think of the young players they have had in the past, that is some compliment.
"They gave us a torrid evening. We've gone out of the cup with a whimper really. They created more chances against us than any other team this season. We've had our backsides kicked by a very good young Arsenal team."
But Bruce praised goalkeeper Kirkland, who jarred a long-standing back problem in the opening few minutes and yet produced a stunning performance that helped keep the scoreline down.
"He is an outstanding goalkeeper," said Bruce. "He is a little bit restricted because of his back. When he is fit and Fabio Capello knows this, he has got an outstanding goalkeeper.
"He kicked the ball in the first two or three minutes and he jarred it. But he produced save after save for us. It's not great but we try and manage his back as best as we can.
"He has not really missed much for us but if he is sitting for long or travelling for too long, he stiffens up a bit. It is not ideal that's for sure."
Meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky has undergone further surgery on a tendon injury which has sidelined the Czech Republic international since January.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury in an FA Cup tie against Newcastle on January 26 but has made slower progress than expected after originally having surgery back in May.
A statement released by Arsenal read: ''Tomas Rosicky yesterday underwent routine revision surgery in Germany.
''The operation went as planned and Tomas will now spend at least a few weeks convalescing in Germany.
''Thereafter he will follow a tailored rehabilitation programme devised by our medical team.''
The injury has restricted Rosicky to just 61 first-team appearances for the Gunners since joining from Borussia Dortmund in May 2006. It is not yet clear when he will be fit to return to training.
