Football Update: English Premier League- Wigan Athletic ties with Arsenal 2-2
A tough competition against strong opponents lead the Wigan Athletic out of the relegation zone, when they managed to draw the game 2-2 with Arsenal.
Wigan came into the game with high aims and determination even playing against the more illustrious side. They had not lost any of their previous five games at the DW Stadium and their zeal was vigilant throughout most of the first half, as they clearly
outfought and outplayed in the ground.
The attack was applied right at the beginning of the game when Charles N’Zogbia skinned Emmanuel Eboue in just the second minute. But the Gunners were fortunate that Tom Cleverley’s cross was not connected by Hugo Rodallega to give them an early lead pressure.
Wigan star Ben Watson scored the first goal of the game with a brilliant penalty shot straight into the net. Soon after, Arsenal took the lead by the astounding performances from Andrel Arshavin and Nicklar Bendtner when they both scored one after the other
by the end of the first half.
The Colombian sprinted past Laurent Koscielny aiming the opponent’s post when a clumsy defending effort just around the penalty area cost them a penalty shot. The shot was taken by Ben Watson and even when the goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski guessed the trajectory
correct, he still couldn’t keep the ball from landing inside the post.
Jack Wilshere was brought into the game for the injured Abou Diaby just before the half hour mark which came out to be lucky. Wilshere and Rosicky made a strong unbeaten mid-field partnership that Wigan could not captivate. Arshavin volleyed superbly to
Bendtner but the shot to the post was intercepted by Al Habsi. Arshavin then again was rapid in his action to Al Habsi’s rebound and pulled off an acrobatic goal from shallow chances.
Arshavin’s second effort was backed this time, by Bendtner who bundled his way through the defence of the hosts slotting low past Al Habsi for their lead goal.
Charles N’Zogbia, who has been showing tremendous guts for their side, was sent off in the 78th minute for a head-shot into Jack Wilshere. This was a major blow for Roberto Martinez when his side was already lacking a goal behind.
Wigan regained composure in their return from the second half but the equalizer was a gift from the visitors as Squillaci glanced the ball into the back of his own net in an attempt to intercept Watson’s corner.
Ironically, Sebastien Squillaci scoring an own goal gave the Latics their equalizer. The game draw denied Arsenal’s chances to level the points with the title rivals Manchester United, who are in the first place and Manchester City at the second. The Gunners
now remain third on the table while Wigan leap-frog Fulham and Birmingham City, coming into the 16th position.
"It was disappointing because we were 2-1 up, playing against 10 men and dropped two points. But overall it was a difficult game, very physical, with a high level of commitment from Wigan and they caught us a bit at the start. You always felt any mistake
at the back and we could pay for it as long as we didn't score the third goal."
- Arsene Wenger
"I don't think Arsenal's changes helped us at all - looking at them they are all full internationals with really good experience. I would have preferred to play against the team that played against Chelsea and it would have been practically impossible
for them to have recovered."
- Roberto Martinez
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