Premier League preview: Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
Arsenal failed to beat Wigan in their previous clash at the DW Stadium, a match which ended in a 2-2 draw. Failing to scoop up three points at the Emirates in this weekend's fixture could prove detrimental to the Gunners’ title hopes, as they occupy the
third position in the Premier League table, behind leaders Manchester United and second placed Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger’s side have played twenty two games compared to Manchester City’s twenty three, so a win in this match will increase the pressure upon the sky blue Manchester team. The Gunners are two points away from Manchester United but the Red Devils have
a game in hand, so Wenger’s men will be keen to score a victory in front of their home fans, considering they have no League match scheduled for the next ten days.
Wigan are in a very different position, as their pitiful form has landed them in the relegation zone. However, they are in the eighteenth spot in the Barclays table and under Aston Villa only on goal difference, both teams having played 22 matches and having
acquired the same number of points.
The Latics played against Fulham last week in a fixture which would have enabled them to climb out of the relegation three, but they ended up conceding a late goal to the Cottagers and thus the game ended in a draw. Roberto Martinez’s team’s form has improved,
having lost only one game in their previous seven, but their failure to secure victories will not help them in their fight to stay in the top flight.
Both sides have played twenty two fixtures this season, with Arsenal claiming 43 points compared to Wigan’s 22. The Gunners have recorded thirteen wins in their campaign, and lost four. The Latics have won four and lost twice that number of games. Martinez’s
side have secured ten draws this season (five of those came in their previous seven League fixtures). Wenger’s side have scored 45 goals and conceded 22, which means the Gunners have the most potent attacking form in the Premier League this season. The Latics
on the other hand have scored 19 and conceded 34.
The two teams have clashed eleven times in the top flight of English football. There have been two draws, and Arsenal have emerged the more successful team having won eight times compared to Wigan’s single victory. Wigan have been defeated in their last
eight visits to the Gunners turf.
Arsenal are on an unbeaten run of five matches, having last lost to leaders Manchester United on 13the December, in a fixture which saw the Red Devils score the only goal. In addition to having an exceptional attacking form this season, the Gunners are the
only side to have not let in a goal so far in 2011.
The Latics have lost and won one game from their previous seven. Their goal tally to the number of games played (19 goals in 22 matches) means Wigan are the most incompetent attacking team in the Premier League, however they are the only team who have not
had a penalty decision awarded against them.
Arsenal players Denilson and Marouanne Chamakh will play this fixture as both players have managed to recover from their slight injury problems they endured when playing Leeds in the midweek match. They will be without goal keeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukasz-Fabianski-c22910, who is
still suffering from a shoulder injury.
Wigan’s injury list includes http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ali-Al-Habsi-c5041 instead.
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