Wigan vs Arsenal

We played well vs West Brom, but couldn't score goals from open play, we played well and scored goals vs Reading. The last 2 Premier League games were encouraging if we don't look at the Bradford game, so I'm looking forward to the next game. We should win this game and put pressure on the teams around us because we play earlier than everybody else. A match preview from goal.com looks good so I'm going to put it here:

Roberto Martinez's Wigan squad has been reduced to its bare bones with no fewer than eight players sidelined.

Irish midfielder James McCarthy (ankle) is likely to miss the match with an injury sustained against Norwich last week, but Latics are hit hardest at the back with Piscu (hamstring) likely to be out for 10 weeks and Antolin Alcaraz (groin) ruled out until the New Year.

Ivan Ramis and Gary Caldwell are both doubts for Saturday's game, so Wigan's three-man backline could feature midfielder David Jones again.

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, has no fresh injury concerns after Monday's win against Reading.

Olivier Giroud (back) could push for a start after his cameo appearance in the 5-2 win, but that position could be reserved for contract rebel Theo Walcott who impressed at the Madjeski.

Andre Santos (stomach) is still struggling, while Abou Diaby (thigh) has been ruled out until after Christmas.
DID YOU KNOW?

Wigan have only won one of 11 games this season when they have conceded the first goal.

The Latics have let in at least two goals in their last seven Premier League matches.

Martinez's side have won only two of their last 18 Premier League games played in the month of December

Arsenal have scored at least two goals in their last four away matches against Wigan in all competitions.

The Gunners have only won twice in their last seven games in all competitions.

Thomas Vermaelen has scored in each of his three Premier League appearances against Wigan. He is 9/2 to score anytime with bet365.

Should be the same lineup that started against Reading

As much as I like Giroud, I would stick with Walcott upfront for this one.

Important little period coming up. Wigan, Newcastle and Southampton: on paper, even with Arsenal being Arsenal, should be 3 games we win. But what's more is that we don't have a Boxing Day game, so although we should be fresher going into the latter two games than our opponents, it also means any slip up against Wigan and we could fall behind with everyone else playing a game more. Can't be doing with that.

I would also start with the Reading team. Let's see if we can replicate that form again against a team who won't be as shambolic as Reading.

As said before with the games coming up should be wins...not getting carried away but I truly feel we can take max points from those games....

As with reading I don't think Wigan stand a chance and expecting a 4-0 win for us.....
Would be nice to start getting some clean sheets going...letting in far to many goals in my opinion we may have the 3rd best goal difference in the league but its the tragic errors that are costing us.....


COYG.

I see us winning by at least 3 if we play the same XI we started against Reading. I was really impressed by Walcott up front, hopefully he has another good game there and gives Wenger some decisions to make.

Same 11 as Reading, very good then. 0-4, theo - poldi - ox - TV !!

Unchanged, time to see what this team is made of

No Giroud or Rosicky on the bench? :/

Really Ashraf? Thats strange

Yeah, that's what it says on arsenal.com and BBC. Hope it's not injury for either of them.

Have a good feeling about today:D Hope I dont get crushed.

woah Wigan players still confused about where they should be playing, we should take advantage of it.

Giroud and rosicky both ill

Wigan pressing us well..

both teams look like they are going to ship a few today

Gonna be one of those days where the damn goalie saves everything by the looks of things...

carzola shocking today

Good tempo but a little lightweight all over the pitch.

ffs how about some defending

I love Mertesacker, but ...he is slow. No news there !

So i see we're back to little or no creativity mode

We dont play well in adverse conditions
we dont play well against teams who press us

After a bright start, Wigan have figured us out pretty quickly. The only thing they are suffering from right now is a lack a quality in the final 3rd.

Wigan are pressing us well, but we're lacking energy, creativity. We have a Reading hangover.....