Arsenal V Wigan Athletic – Saturday 19th September

Arsenal V Wigan Athletic

Kick-Off: Saturday 19^th September – 15:00 GMT

Venue: The Emirates

Arsenal

League Position: 9th

Recent Form: WWLL

What goes up, must come down, as the old saying goes. That cliché certainly applies to Arsenal right now after their glorious start to the season came crumbling down after two defeats in Manchester. Now, both Manchester United and Man City have got the better of Arsene Wenger’s side and now the pressure really is on Arsenal because another defeat, especially if it was to come at home, would certainly spring the doubters back tin life, that’s if they aren’t already out in force as Arsenal titles credentials start to diminish.

Arsenal fans were given a huge reality check at the weekend, or a slap in the face if your name is Robin Van Persie. Those two defeats against the Manchester sides will not only halter their charge up the table but also put in a huge dent in the early momentum they had worked so hard to build up. It’s now two defeats against two sides that will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season and there are already doubts over whether Arsenal can actually cut it against the bigger sides in the league this season.

To add some to some unconvincing displays in the league, Arsenal made extremely hard work of their Champions League tie in midweek. They travelled to Belgium to face a dangerous Standard Liege side but Arsene Wenger’s side went 2 goals down within the opening ten minutes. Not the start many had envisaged but, like all good teams do, the Gunners stormed back into the game with Eduardo eventually scoring the winner as Arsenal came from behind to record a big win. If that stunning comeback doesn’t re lift the dressing room then we don’t know what will.

Wigan Athletic

League Position: 11th

Recent Form: WLLLW

Wigan, or Jekyll & Hyde as we like to call them now, won one of the dullest contests in premiership history on Saturday when they got the better of a dreadful West Ham on the day. To be fair, Wigan were the better of the two but not even they deserved anything from what was a dreadful affair it was that dire. However, Wigan did secure a vital win and, as they head into a game they really shouldn’t get much out of, they will take a positive result with them, with the confidence from that victory hopefully playing a key part in how Wigan fair at the Emirates.

Roberto Martinez’s team will need one huge performance if they are to take anything away from The Emirates. However, not many gave them much of a chance of sneaking a surprise victory away at Aston Villa but they did, although, this is a much sterner test against a much better side. Wigan are a team, under Roberto Martinez, that like to play pretty on the floor football but they will find their match against Arsenal, the only difference being Arsenal are much better at it and they can defend competently.

Wigan will need an immense defensive display for them to nick a point here, forget about winning as that is out of the question. If they were to replicate their early performance away at Villa then Wigan could cause Arsenal a few problems, however, anything below a 100% effort from each of the Wigan’s starting eleven and Wigan could make an instant return to losing ways.

Head-to-Head

Arsenal W: 7 Wigan W: 0 Draws: 1

Arsenal have been rampant in previous meetings between the two, winning seven of their last eight meetings. To add to Wigan’s miserable record, Arsenal have won on all four occasions that Wigan have travelled to The Emirates. The Gunners have also met Wigan twice in the League Cup, beating them on both occasions, also.

Over 2.5 Goals: 5 Under 2.5 Goals: 3

If this is going to be a game with plenty of goals then you would like to think that most of them will come in the form of an on song Arsenal side. However, Arsenal’s previous three wins at The Emirates, over Wigan, have been very close run affairs, with Arsenal winning 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, all in the correct (From left to right) order.

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 2/7 Coral

Arsenal have to make an instant return to form and anything but a win over a less-than-impressive Wigan side would be a disastrous result for the Gunners. Arsenal shouldn’t have too many problems though as both of their defeats thus far have come at home, with Arsenal smashing Portsmouth 4-1 in their only home fixture to date. Wigan, however, have now lost two on the bounce on their travels, that’s if you include their 4-1 humiliating defeat in the Carling Cup against Blackpool. A rampant Arsenal to crush Wigan at The Emirates.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 2/7 Coral

Wigan Athletic – 14/1 Bet365

Draw – 5/1 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Tip: Arsenal to Score in BOTH HALVES – 10/11 SkyBet