Arsenal has won nine of their previous ten league games. They face a struggling Wigan coming off a big win in their last match.
Van Persie takes the penalty.
Arsenal slowed down the pace in the second half. The second half was largely unspectacular. Kevin Doyle produced a few tense moments for Arsenal but was kept out by the brilliant Wojiech Szczesny. Yossi Benayoun put the gloss on the win with a brilliant goal in the second half which earned him praise from his manager.
Wigan played United in a thrilling contest which above all earned them three points. Wigan played some brilliant football- they are known as a side that can play some eye-catching football on their day. Against United they put up an impressive defensive display. Shaun Maloney scored a spectacular goal as well. Overall, Wigan thoroughly deserved the win.
Wigan sits seventeenth in the table currently and can be hopeful of survival considering the way they played against United. Arsenal on the other hand sits third, comfortably ahead of Spurs, Newcastle and Chelsea. They won the reverse fixture at Wigan, 0-4. Mikel Arteta, Thomas Vermaelen, Gervinho and Robin Van Persie scored in that match.
Wigan has an extremely poor record against Arsenal at the Emirates. They have lost their last nine competitive games in all competitions against the Gunners in London. This fixture last season ended 3-0. Robin Van Persie provided a masterful display as he scored a hat-trick. Gary Caldwell received his marching orders with twenty minutes left on the clock.
Laurent Koscielny serves the last of his two-game suspension. He picked up a yellow card against City bringing up his count to ten and thus incurring the suspension. Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere, Per Mertesacker and Francis Coquelin are all out of contention for Arsenal. For Wigan, Hugo Rodallega and Michael Pollitt are both doubtful.
This is what Tomas Rosicky said about the match:
"People might not usually regard a match against Wigan as such a big one, but they are still battling relegation, so there is a lot at stake for both of us.
We saw what can happen against a team fighting for its life when we played away at QPR, and we expect the same kind of performance from Wigan on Monday. We have to give 100 per cent to get the result."
Will Arsenal win the game? Considering Arsenal’s record against the struggling side, it is hard to see past a win for them.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Wigan
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
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