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Played
December 29, 2010 7:45 PM GMT
The DW Stadium — Wigan
Referee:‬ L. Probert‎
Attendance:‬ 17014‎
 

Wigan Athletic - Arsenal Preview: Cesc Fabregas suspended as Gunners look to build on Chelsea win

By Alex Fisher

More On :  Arsenal FC, Wigan Athletic, Arsène Wenger, Roberto Martínez, Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal FC
TEAM NEWS

Wigan

The Latics come into this game on a high after their crucial victory over relegation rivals Wolves on Boxing Day lifted them out of the bottom three. Roberto Martinez’s men are currently five games unbeaten at home and will be hoping to build on that against the in-form Gunners.
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Honduran duo Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa both return to the squad following their one-game suspensions for the Wolves match.

Emmerson Boyce and Franco Di Santo are both near to a first team return but remain doubtful for this match, but James McCarthy and Victor Moses are both definitely ruled out with injury.

Possible starting XI: Al Habsi; Gohouri, G Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Diame, Thomas; Cleverley, McArthur, N’Zogbia; Rodallega.

Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Chelsea, so Tomas Rosicky may start.

Manuel Almunia will not be able to feature due to his ankle injury, and defender Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are not due to return until the New Year.

Robin van Persie's return to fitness is a huge boost to Arsene Wenger, and he could start again alongside Marouane Chamakh.

Possible starting XI: Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy; Rosicky, Song, Wilshere; Nasri, Van Persie, Chamakh.

Gunners have the edge despite last season’s DW upset

Arsenal have dominated the clashes between the two sides, with 11 wins from the 14 meetings in all competitions.

However, Wigan did win the last meeting at the DW Stadium, 3-2 in April, which ended Arsenal’s title hopes last season. The Gunners were 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go but goals from Ben Watson, Titus Bramble and a last minute winner from Charles N’Zogbia sealed a famous victory for Martinez’s men.

This game will be the first meeting in the league between the two sides this season but they did meet in the League Cup in October when Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

North-west a happy hunting ground for Gunners

The north-west has often been thought of as Arsenal’s weak point but this season they have shown that this is no longer the case after three wins and a draw in the region.

They have beaten Blackburn, Everton and Manchester City, and earned themselves a draw against Liverpool on the opening day, but they were beaten by Manchester United on their last visit to the region.

Wigan have struggled against London sides this season and have only taken three points from a potential 12 against sides from the capital. Despite beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane they have slumped to defeats against Chelsea, Fulham and West Ham, conceding 11 goals and only scoring two.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Wigan Athletic 0-3 Arsenal FC
    22.96 %
  • Wigan Athletic 0-2 Arsenal FC
    16.41 %
  • Wigan Athletic 0-4 Arsenal FC
    13.89 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 14 May 2013 Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 22 Dec 2012 Wigan Athletic 0 - Arsenal FC 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 16 Apr 2012 Arsenal FC 1 - Wigan Athletic 2
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 3 Dec 2011 Wigan Athletic 0 - Arsenal FC 4
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 22 Jan 2011 Arsenal FC 3 - Wigan Athletic 0
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Last Five Matches
Wigan Athletic
19 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
11 May 2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
7 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Swansea City 3EPL
4 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 2 - Wigan Athletic 3EPL
Arsenal FC
19 May 2013Newcastle United 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
4 May 2013QPR 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
28 Apr 2013Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1EPL
20 Apr 2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Wigan £510.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £90.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Arsenal £16.70 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
26Ali Al HabsiGoalkeeper
23Ronnie StamDefender
5Gary CaldwellDefender
3Antolín AlcarazDefender
2Steve GohouriDefender
23Tom CleverleyMidfielder
21Mohamed DiameMidfielder
8Ben WatsonMidfielder
-H. ThomasMidfielder
10Charles N'ZogbiaMidfielder
20Hugo RodallegaStriker
12Mike PollittGoalkeeper
-Steven CaldwellDefender
14Jordi GómezMidfielder
15Callum McManamanStriker
-Mauro BoselliStriker
16James McArthurMidfielder
31Maynor FigueroaDefender
21Lukasz FabianskiGoalkeeper
3Bacary SagnaDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
18Sébastien SquillaciDefender
27Emmanuel EboueDefender
7Tomas RosickyMidfielder
2A. DiabyMidfielder
15DenilsonMidfielder
23Andrey ArshavinMidfielder
29Marouane ChamakhStriker
17Nicklas BendtnerStriker
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
22Gael ClichyDefender
20Johan DjourouDefender
23Carlos VelaStriker
10Jack WilshereMidfielder
8Samir NasriMidfielder
14Theo WalcottStriker
Players to Watch
Hugo Rodallega
Hugo Rodallega
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 20
Games Goals YC RC
29 3 0 0
Wigan’s potent goal threat has got a huge part to play if the Latics are to avoid relegation this season. His goal against Wolves was his fifth of the season and set his side on their way to a vital three points, he will go into this match hoping to score in consecutive games for the first time this campaign.
Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 8
Games Goals YC RC
28 2 3 1
Nasri has been the stand-out midfielder in the Premier League during the first half of this season, providing Arsenal with lots of creativity and flair. He has also contributed 12 goals in all competitions, which makes him the club’s top goal scorer just ahead of striker Marouane Chamakh.
Probable Lineups
Ali Al Habsi 26
Ronnie Stam 23
Gary Caldwell 5
Antolín Alcaraz 3
Steve Gohouri 2
Tom Cleverley 23
Mohamed Diame 21
Ben Watson 8
H. Thomas 0
Charles N'Zogbia 10
Hugo Rodallega 20
Lukasz Fabianski 21
Bacary Sagna 3
Laurent Koscielny 6
Sébastien Squillaci 18
Emmanuel Eboue 27
Tomas Rosicky 7
A. Diaby 2
Denilson 15
Andrey Arshavin 23
Marouane Chamakh 29
Nicklas Bendtner 17
Prediction
Despite their poor start to the season, Wigan’s home form has been very good in recent matches, but Arsenal should be too strong for Roberto Martinez’s men. The Gunners have one of the best away records in the league and they should record their sixth victory on the road at the DW Stadium.
Editor's Prediction
Wigan 1
Arsenal 3
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0

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