Premier League: Wigan v Arsenal match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at the DW Stadium

Theo Walcott (GETTY IMAGES)

Reading were put to the sword by Arsene Wenger’s wounded animal on Monday night, now Wigan host an Arsenal side beginning to fire on all cylinders once more.

One cannot be to certain about Arsenal currently having won just twice in their previous seven games.

Wigan have picked up just four point from their last seven fixtures too and still retain an openness which has dogged them under Roberto Martinez; they have won just one out of the 11 games in which they have conceded first.

At the DW Stadium, Wigan have just kept one clean sheet against Arsenal in the Premier League.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Arsenal 1 (Vermaelen) Wigan 2 (Di Santo, Gomez), Premier League, April 2012

Wigan 0 Arsenal 4 (Arteta, Vermaelen, Gervinho, Van Persie), Premier League, December 2011

Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 3) Wigan 0, Premier League, January 2011

STATS…

The away side was victorious on both occasions last season - Arsenal 4-0 at the DW Stadium and Wigan 2-1 at the Emirates.

Only Manchester City (6) have conceded less goals on their travels in the Premier League than Arsenal (8) this season.

The Latics have kept just two clean sheets in the league this season.

Theo Walcott has scored 11 goals in all competitions for the Gunners this season, leaving him just two short of equalling his most prolific campaign. That was in 2010/11 when he netted 13 times.

ODDS…

Wigan to win: 5.2

Arsenal to win: 1.77

Draw: 4.1

CLASSIC MATCH

Wigan’s maiden campaign in the Premier League in 2005/06 was certainly a season to remember; the Latics achieved a top ten finish and reached the Carling Cup final beating Arsenal in the semi-finals.

After a tight first leg, which saw Paul Scharner give Paul Jewell’s side a slender advantage, Wigan sealed their place at the Millenium Stadium with Jason Roberts’ aggregate equaliser in the last minute of extra time.

Thierry Henry had levelled the scores at Highbury after Jose Reyes had missed from the penalty spot and it looked like Robin Van Persie’s 108th minute free kick would seal the Gunners’ place in the final.

But after some hesitant defending in the Arsenal backline, Roberts stole in to seal Wigan’s place in their first major final.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 12.45pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm on MOTD