Match Preview: Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

There's No Place Like Home!

Normally bad things happen in threes, for Arsenal FC they happen in twos. Two losses in Manchester and being in the middle of two administrative maelstroms – Adebayor fiasco and Eduardo’s UEFA ban. Throw in a shaky start to the Champion’s League group stages that saw two goals go in and you get the picture.

In order to put that all behind them and begin moving forward for the season – again – Arsenal must return to their winning ways this game.  While the claw back at Standard de Liege showed some unusual grit for the Gunners, a win this Saturday rights the ship that seems to have hit the rocky shoals in Manchester.

In fairness the two losses in Manchester are gut wrenching because by all indications they should’ve been two wins. For the better part of the United match the Gunners held the play and outclassed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. In their return to Manchester a fortnight later, the Arsenal let the emotions get the better of them and the defense withered and allowed three quick goals in succession.

Also disconcerting was the way the Standard Liege match got started for the better part of 10 minutes it seemed as Arsenal had forgotten how to pass. Most passes were errant, off the mark and light. Standard capitalized this and within 4 minutes had all Arsenal fans in nightmare mode. Had it not been for their desire to sit back and an absolute quality goal by Nicholas Bendtner, Arsenal could have very well lost that match as well.

But now that they return to the Emirates and once again face a very friendly crowd, they must come out and return to the form that started off the season with emphatic wins at Everton, Celtic and Pompey. They must continue to attack both with the ball and without. One of the early eye catching marks of the season was how at least three players swarmed anyone on the opposition with the ball. That same verve was something seriously missing from the City match.

Additionally, the defense will need to tighten up again and lock down the back third. Vito Mannone needs confidence. The horrendous start to the CL tie in Belgium could not have done much for the young Italian’s psyche. Sagna, Clichy, Vermaelen and Gallas must return to the steadfastness that was prevalent in the start of the season.  As the Times of London quipped, “in the days of famous five at the back (Seaman, Dixon, Keown or Bould, Adams and Winterburn) the need to maintain defensive discipline and shape was banged into the players at every training session. Individual errors were rare” Now they seem to be the rule.

Robin Van Persie who was out with a knee knock for the Champion’s League match returns in time to face the Latics. Andrei Arshavin has a 10% likelihood that he will play. This means the on field creativity has to come from Cesc Fabregas. And if that is to happen, the Arsenal Captain must collect his bags from the airport and firmly return from his away duty in Spain. In all the matches before the international break – even the loss to United – Cesc dictated the midfield. His passing tore apart the opposition and his ability to make plays come out nowhere was a thing of magic. Mark that in contrast to his play since the return from the Spanish National team. His play seems lethargic and lacking the creativity he had prior to the break.  If Arsenal are going to succeed this season, they will need Cesc to raise the level of his play on a more consistent basis.

In the midfield one of the other younglings – namely Song is going to have to step up and show that they can be the midfield screen the team hasn’t really had since Silva and Flamini left. However, as was also highlighted by the Times, Alex has tendency to succumb to positional wondering that pulls him out of the center of the leaving the defense exposed.

In meeting the Latics under the managerial stewardship of Roberto Martinez, they are meeting a team that while still vulnerable is playing with a lot more ability that they did under Steven Bruce. Even in losing to Manchester United, Wigan never backed off the attack; they did not park the bus and try to play for a draw. Until the half against United they looked sharp enough to actually walk away with 3 points.

The team shows ability to learn match from match. After losing to United the Latics were able to turn it around and beat a very promising West Ham United side. Over time, this attractive football is going to develop and the squad should fulfill their potential on the field. Martinez is excited about the budding partnership that is coming up by way of Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodallega.

The match is promising for an Arsenal side that hasn’t lost to Wigan at home in the last 6 meetings.  In all the Gunners have only lost once to Wigan in 11 ties. Additionally, Wigan have not fared well against any of the big four with no wins in 33 attempts.

The Arsenal training room attendees are well known and Wigan comes in fully fit. All in all with the new attractive form of play the Latics are aspiring to, the game should be open and free flowing – even without the likes of Arshavin or Walcott on the field.

How it will develop?

The fragility and awkwardness of Arsenal’s back four has to be known by Martinez and we should suspect that he will attempt to attack it early. Again, the Latics are playing a style of play that suits Arsene’s boys and as they have shown when a game is open and flowing, they are more than up for the task.  The Gunners will be looking to get some love from the faithful as they haven’t played on Emirates soil except for twice out 6 matches in all competitions. The fans will be more than happy to oblige.

Additionally, look for the Gunners to quickly try and put a line through the whole Adebayor affair that seemed to consume them and the EPL this week.

Injuries:

Arsenal:  Almunia, Fabianski, Walcott, Vela, Denilson, Djourou, Nasri, and Arshavin

Wigan: Oliver Kapo

Probable Starting XI:

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Rosicky, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Van Persie, Bendtner

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Melchiot, N’Zogbia, Gomez, Diame, Koumas, Thomas, Rodallega

 Score line:

Arsenal – 4
Wigan – 1