Arsenal - Wigan preview

Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic travel to the Emirates unbeaten in five Premier League games, meaning that it is hosts Arsenal who are currently saddled with the curse of inconsistency. The Gunners pulled out of a mini-slump of two consecutive defeats by beating Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and then coming from behind to win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. But in midweek they were eliminated from the Carling Cup when Championship high-fliers Burnley out-witted them 2-0 at Turf Moor.

Of course, the team that lost to the Clarets was entirely different from the one that beat Chelsea; it was the much-heralded young Gunners who had performed so impressively in the earlier rounds of the Carling Cup but came up against a Burnley side who asked questions to which the youngsters struggled to find the answers.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will no doubt reinstate his seniors for the visit of Wigan, which ironically may suit Bruce and his players - because the Latics were comprehensively out-played by the young Gunners at the Emirates last month in the Carling Cup. In contrast, Wenger's seniors have too often struggled to break down lower-placed sides who arrive at Ashburton Grove with a game-plan backed by organisation and hard work, and Bruce will be hoping they can throw their hosts out of their elegant stride on Saturday.

However, the Arsenal camp must surely know they are fast running out of second chances; indeed, they've managed only two League wins in six attempts - though those were against last year's champions and runners-up, Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively. And having impressively won at Stamford Bridge last week to haul themselves firmly back into the Barclays Premier League title race, they really do have to press on and start winning - consistently - the games which, on paper at least, they are expected to win. And Wigan at home is certainly one of those.

If they do beat the Latics they could make up further ground on their three main title rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. If they don't, they will merely have devalued their victory over Chelsea - which is what happened after they beat Manchester United then lost to Aston Villa (home) and Manchester City (away).

Remarkably, the Gunners - eight points adrift of current leaders Liverpool - will be aiming to win two successive Premier League matches for only the third time this season, underlining their erratic form. But with the captaincy issue now resolved there should be nothing to distract them from being fully focused on the job in hand against rejuvenated Wigan, who have just achieved back-to-back victories over West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Those wins saw the Latics climb to 11th in the table, and were gained without the services of top scorer Amr Zaki. But a third straight win would also be their first success in 26 attempts against one of the Big Four.

Wigan boast the longest current unbeaten sequence in the Premier League, though they have conceded 10 goals in their seven away games this season, and in fact have conceded 99 goals away from the JJB Stadium in their Premier League history. Arsenal will be looking to ensure the century mark is passed this weekend, given that they have already scored 27 Premier League goals this season - a figure which only Chelsea (33) and Manchester City (29) can better.

They should be buoyed by the fact that they are unbeaten by Wigan in league meetings (five wins, one draw), and hold a perfect home record against the Latics of three wins out of three.

On the other hand, Arsenal haven't celebrated back-to-back victories in seven Premier League matches, since beating Everton (3-1 at home) and West Ham (2-0 away) in mid-October. And they have collected 11 fewer points this season than at the same stage last term, when they were top of the table as opposed to fourth. In contrast, Wigan are up by 10 points on this same stage last season - but six points down on their best-ever performance after 15 Premier League fixtures.

The tightness of this season's Premier League competition is underlined by the fact that Wigan, who are currently 11th, could climb as high as 7th or fall as low as 14th this weekend, depending on their own and others' results.

How The Bosses See It

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said ahead of the game: "Many eyes will be turned on Arsenal to see how we respond to our defeat in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

"Let's believe in this team - and I say that to the fans as well - let's get behind them because they want to do well. I believe we have the quality, we have the desire, the talent and the spirit, so that should make us go into the game on Saturday with a strong belief."

Wenger's Wigan counterpart, Steve Bruce, commented: "What we must have is belief because teams like Arsenal do not lose many games.

"This is the enjoyable part of the Premier League, wondering if we can go and give a good performance against a top side. We have done it before but we will need to play to our maximum if we are to take anything out of the game."

Head-To-Head

When Wigan frustrated Arsenal in a goalless draw at the JJB Stadium on 9 March this year, it was the only time the Latics have taken as much as a point off the Gunners. And already this season Arsenal have got back to winning ways against Wigan, running out 3-0 victors in the Carling Cup fourth round tie. Teenagers Jay Simpson (two) and Carlos Vela scored the goals on 11 November.

However, the two clubs also met in the Carling Cup in the 2005-06 season. It was at the semi-final stage, and Paul Jewell's side took a one-goal lead to Highbury for the second leg of the semi-final. The Latics lost 2-1 but reached the final on away goals after extra time.

Last season in the Premier League at the Emirates, Arsenal won 2-0, with goals in the last seven minutes from William Gallas (83) and Tomas Rosicky (85).

All League Matches (home and away):
Arsenal 5 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 1

League Matches At Arsenal Only:
Arsenal 3 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 0


FORM GUIDE

Arsenal

02 Dec (Carling Cup) v Burnley (A) LOST 0-2
30 Nov (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) WON 2-1
25 Nov (Champions League) v Dynamo Kiev (H) WON 1-0
22 Nov (Premier League) v Man City (A) LOST 0-3
15 Nov (Premier League) v Aston Villa (H) LOST 0-2

Wigan

29 Nov (Premier League) v West Brom (H) WON 2-1
24 Nov (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
15 Nov (Premier League) v Newcastle (A) DREW 2-2
11 Nov (Carling Cup) v Arsenal (A) LOST 0-3
08 Nov (Premier League) v Stoke (H) DREW 0-0


TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Long-term injury victims Eduardo (broken leg), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Theo Walcott (shoulder) are still sidelined, while William Gallas suffered a calf problem at Stamford Bridge and will be missing. But Kolo Toure (calf) is likely to be available again, along with Emmanuel Eboue (knee). But Johan Djourou (hip) and Abou Diaby (abdominal) are unlikely to be fit to return.

Squad: Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Silvestre, Sagna, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Song, Adebayor, Van Persie, Fabianski, Ramsey, Wilshere, Djourou, Vela, Bendtner, Eboue.

Last Starting XI (v Burnley): Fabianski, Hoyte, Silvestre, Ramsey, Gibbs, Rodgers (Lansbury 46), Randall (Bischoff 72), Merida, Wilshere (Simpson 63), Bendtner, Vela.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Coquelin, Steer, Frimpong.


Wigan

Top scorer Amr Zaki has been struggling with a hamstring problem, but could return after missing the last three matches. Defender Paul Scharner could also be back after a groin problem saw him miss the West Brom game last weekend. But long-term injury victim Erik Edman is not expected to return to action before Christmas. The Swedish defender has been out for eight months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Bruce is not planning to rush him back.

The Wigan boss said this week: "Erik has been training for the best part of three or four weeks and played in two reserve games. It was a bad injury he had and I don't think we'll be seeing the best of him for another couple of months yet."

Squad: Kirkland, Taylor, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Brown, Koumas, Palacios, Camara, Zaki, Heskey, Melchiot, Kilbane, Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka.

Last Starting XI (v West Brom): Kirkland, Taylor (Melchiot 70), Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa (Kilbane 81), Valencia, Brown (Koumas 60), Cattermole, Palacios, Heskey, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal

Striker Robin van Persie was Arsenal's match-winner last weekend with a brace against Chelsea, and if he starts, as he's expected to, against Wigan, the former Feyenoord Dutch international will be making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club. Those two goals against the Blues also took his total for the Gunners to 52 in all competitions.

Wigan

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been in outstanding form recently, and the ex-Liverpool shot-stopper could the man to frustrate the Gunners on Saturday. He was in top form when the Latics met Arsenal in the Carling Cup last month, and couldn't be blamed for the three goals the young Gunners netted. Another inspired performance could spread anxiety through the players and fans of the North London club.