Premiership: Arsenal V Wigan Athletic – Saturday, 22nd January

Arsenal V Wigan Athletic

Saturday, 22nd January – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Emirates Stadium

 

Arsenal

In general, Arsenal have encountered very few problems when it comes to dispatching of Wigan Athletic, no matter what the competition nor the venue. However, the Gunners have paid the price for their failure to kill off the Latics in recent encounters – Losing 3-2 at the DW when 2-0 up with ten minutes left to play in a fixture at the business end of the season where that result effectively ended Arsenal’s chances of winning the 2009/2010 Premier League, while a visit to the DW Stadium last month saw Arsenal throw away yet another lead before drawing 2-2. Now the Latics will feel they have the momentum heading into a fixture Arsenal have dominated ever since these two sides first clapped eyes on one another.

Arsenal don’t exactly go that far back with Wigan, just six years in fact, with their first ever clash with the Latics coming in the 2005/2006 Premiership. Since then, a total of five top-flight fixtures and three League Cup encounters have been contested on Arsenal soil, the Londoner’s winning every single one. Whether it be at the old Highbury or the swanky Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have found dates with the Latics on home soil a pleasant stroll in the park.

It would be fair to say that the various statistics available make Arsenal almost a formality when it comes to predicting a match winner. Not even a pair of useless goalies in the form of Manuel Almunia and LIndiaaz Fabianski has been able to dent Arsenal’s imperious record at home to Wigan, particularly recent encounters, where the Gunners have kept five successive clean sheets at home to the Greater Manchester outfit (3 in the league and 2 in the League Cup).

It really should be plain sailing for Arsene Wenger’s charges, though rarely have Arsenal made light work of a home fixture this season. In the Champions League they’ve been prolific on home soil, however they have been unable to replicate their European form in the league. Only Blackpool and Bolton have been dispatched with an element of comfort this season, with half of their victories at home in the league coming by a slim one goal margin. Surely it will be more straightforward on Saturday?

Arsenal Fact: Failed to find the back of the net for the first time at home in the Premier League all season when Manchester City held them to a 0-0 draw earlier in the month.

 

Wigan Athletic

Despite suffering just one defeat in their last seven league matches since December first sprung into life, Wigan still find themselves as relegation fodder. Only victory away at Arsenal this weekend will be enough to drag the Latics out of the bottom three, though the likelihood of that happening appear slim at best what with Wigan having never taken a result away with them from any previous away encounter with the Gunners, whether that be their five meetings in the Premier League or their three in the League Cup.

Although Martinez will be focused on one thing and that’s masterminding Arsenal’s downfall this weekend, the Spaniard would be wise to bare in mind his team’s alarming goal difference, something which could be the difference between survival and relegation come the end of the season. The Latics have mustered only 19 goals all season, making them the top-flight’s poorest offence, and combined with a leaky defence which has shipped 34 in 22 matches, makes for the worst goal difference in the league, which in turns leave them vulnerable to relegation at the end of the season should they not accumulate more points than at least three other clubs.

So, with the above in mind, a heavy loss at the Emirates on Saturday wouldn’t be in the best interests of Wigan. That won’t deter Roberto Martinez from sending his team out in the mindset of having ago as opposed to doing what most other managers would do in his situation, which would be to set up shop and hope for the best basically. The latter tactic is extremely dangerous though as you’re then relying on your opponent having an off-day. Martinez, however, isn’t concerned about how Arsenal will fare, only on how his team will perform and the Spaniard will be firmly of the opinion that if his team do turn up and produce their A-game, they’ll cause the Gunners problems despite their lousy record in the English capital.

It is a formidable trip for the Latics to make, though there is enough background knowledge there to suggest Martinez’s men could spring a surprise. The fact they’ve not lost either of their previous two league meeting with the Gunners is a massive boost, mentally more than anything else, even though neither their 3-2 win last season or their 2-2 draw this term were at the Emirates. Furthermore, the fact Wigan have lost just one of their last seven games in the Premier League certainly merits respect, as does the fact they’ve conceded only two goals in their last three away encounters, albeit against inferior opposition.

As far as team news goes, Roberto Martinez is still shorn of goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and midfielders Viktor Moses and James McCarthy, while the on loan Tom Cleverely, a player the small contingent of Wigan fans have taken an instant liking to, is also a doubt. Hugo Rodallega is Wigan’s top scorer this season with five in the league and the Latics will need their Colombian hitman at his clinical best if they’re to take anything away from their visit to North London.

Wigan Fact: All three of Charles N’Zogbia’s league goals this season have come on the road, while the Frenchman is eager to catch the attention of bigger clubs so scoring at the Emirates may well earn him some priceless limelight.

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Last 5 Results

Arsenal

FA Cup (Replay): Leeds United – Arsenal 1-3
Premiership: West Ham 0-3 Arsenal
FA Cup: Arsenal 1-1 Leeds United
Carling Cup: Ipswich Town 1-0 Arsenal
Premiership: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City

Wigan Athletic

Premiership: Wigan Athletic V Fulham 1-1
FA Cup: Hull City 2-3 Wigan Athletic
Premiership: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Premiership: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Newcastle United
Premiership: Wigan Athletic 2-2 Arsenal

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Head-to-Head (Last 5 Seasons)

2010/2011: Wigan Athletic 2-2 Arsenal

2009/2010: Wigan Athletic 3-2 Arsenal
2009/2010: Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic

2008/2009: Wigan Athletic 1-4 Arsenal
2008/2009: Arsenal 1-0 Wigan Athletic

2007/2008: Wigan Athletic 0-0 Arsenal
2007/2008: Arsenal 2-0 Wigan Athletic

2006/2007: Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Athletic
2006/2007: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Arsenal

2005/2006: Arsenal 4-3 Wigan Athletic
2005/2006: Wigan Athletic 2-3 Arsenal

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2010/2011 Premiership Statistics

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd
Win-Draw-Lose: 13-4-5 (Home: 6-1-3)
Goal Difference: 45-22 (Home: 22-11)
Form: WDWDW (Home: LLWWD)
Top Scorer: Samir Nasri (9)

Wigan Athletic

League Position: 18th
Win-Draw-Lose: 4-10-8 (Away: 2-4-4)
Goal Difference: 19-34 (Away: 8-13)
Form: WDLDD (Away: LLDWD)
Top Scorer: Hugo Rodallega (6)

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1,25 Stan James

A dull, weak prediction no doubt but I simply do not see how Wigan will get anything from their venture to the north of the capital. Arsenal have allowed too many easy points to slip through their grasp of late that I do not expect them to concede further spoils on Saturday, when the entertain a Wigan side who have never taken a point from any of their visits to Arsenal, whether that be in the league or in the cups.

The fact Roberto Martinez will ensure his Wigan side play to their strengths, which is to basically try and get the ball down and play a little, will ironically stand them in better stead than were they to sit back and attempt to absorb all the Arsenal pressure. Why? Because Wigan simply don’t have enough quality at the back to handle regular bouts of Arsenal pressure. The onus will be on Charles N’Zogbia in particular to use the ball effectively when given half-a-chance, and the reliance is on Hugo Rodallega being at his clinical best.

Unfortunately, while I would absolutely love to see Wigan spring a surprise, we’re basically asking for Wigan to raise their game substantially and for Arsenal to drop their standards considerably. I’m not sure either will happen, so only Arsenal can be highlighted. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin, Robin Van Persie, there are just too many proven match winners at Wenger’s disposal. It should even be a whitewash.

Value Bet: Both Teams to Score – 2.30 Coral

To everyone’s dismay, this make-shift and mal-nourished in terms of talent Arsenal defence has kept three successive clean sheets in the league. Seriously, no-one knows how. Wigan to at least give Arsenal something to think about at the back, possibly on the break through the pace of N’Zogbia, is a decent bet as I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable with backing Arsenal to WIN to NIL.

 

Match odds:

Arsenal – 1.25 Stan James
Draw – 6.50 Bet365
Wigan Athletic – 17.00 Victor Chandler