Arsenal v Wigan; Premier League Match Preview
This is it. Sort of. Well, it could be. Anything other than a win and the likelihood that Arsenal get the Champion’s League spot that is their minimum level of success will be minimal. They take on a team in Wigan, fighting for relgation but could very well be punch drunk from their exasperating last minute win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Honestly, trying to handicap this match and try and figure it out how it’s all going to go down is hard. And it made so because you just don’t know how either of these teams will lineup. Wigan, before Ben Watson’s wonderful nearpost header, looked leggy and tired as they tried to keep pressure on City. City were disinterested but still with their talent forced Wigan to exert themselves. Before the header, it surely looked likely to go into extra time and you worried for Wigan because they all simply looked gassed. Regardless of whether they were partying or not after claiming their trophy, they’ve had essentially less than 72 hours to prepare for this match. Who knows how fresh they will be.
For Arsenal. Well, we all know the tale. They’ve been brilliant at moments and frustratingly mad at others. They’ve had 10 days to prepare for this match. How they take the pitch and exert themselves early on may not be indicative of how they could play. What does that mean? In the last two weeks Arsenal have scored the first goal inside the first minute only to play the remaining 89 or so minutes like a scared cat. They are nervous and tight – that much is evident. They simply know what losing means at this point.
In fairness it has been a remarkable run since losing to Tottenham. The question is can they keep it up. Can they find that extra gear to apply pressure on Wigan and keep it up. Wigan likely won’t be able to sustain any prolonged chasing of the ball. As open as Martinez likes to play it likely seems to be disaster for them if they play too open. They’ve got pace but it can’t last as we saw against City. Whether they will be able to come out with the same verve they did against City will be something to keep an eye on.
Arsenal actually need to play patiently early on. Control the ball and exert pressure on their weary legs. If Martinez has them press up high early, it could work to Arsenal’s advantage just to play their form of tiki-taka passing. Now the problem with that is, there are always mistakes and if you don’t go for the juggular early you might make a mistake that puts you on the back foot early. Not something Arsenal or the Arsenal faithful would want.
There are lots of stats out there that talk about Arsenal’s success this season with teams in the lower half of the table. There are also stats that talk about how well Arsenal do at their last home game of the season under Wenger. But the fact is all that means very little when the players take the pitch. It comes down to the men who take the pitch and wear the uniform. There is no silverware for today’s win. Just an acknowledgement that a chance to play in the Champion’s League is very much in their own hands.
Should Arsenal not make it – then it clearly shows that this team did not deserve to be in the Champion’s League. We can talk about near misses all we want. And it’s true Arsenal have probably hurt themselves more than any opponent have. But that disection of an end of season corpse still has another week or so to go. For now it’s the ol’ “One Game at a Time” mantra.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Theo Walcott. In the last two matches Theo’s speed has caught everyone off guard as he has put the ball in the net in record speeds. Sadly in those games he has offered very little else. He needs a full 90 minutes of his opening effort today.
Wigan. Callum MacManaman. He was MOTM against City until Best’s winner. He was an attacking threat every time he had the ball. He got tired by the end of the game but still was a constant threat down the opposition’s left.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (knee), Giroud (suspended -1)
Wigan: Beausejoir (hamstring), Crusat (knee), Ramis (knee), Figueroa (groin), Miyaichi (ankle), Pollitt (thigh), Stam (ankle)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Walcott 13
Wigan: Kone 11
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Walcott 10
Wigan: Maloney 8
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1
Wigan: 0
Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2.4
Wigan (away): 1.1
Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 1.2
Wigan (away) : 1.7
Last Five:
Arsenal: WDWDW
Wigan: LWDLL
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 31
Wigan: -23
Match Official:
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches: 26. R3 Y97. 4Pk
Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel: 2:45PM
UK: Sky Sports 1: 19.45 GMT
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Wigan: 1
