EPL Match Day 20: Arsenal v Wigan; Match Preview

If Monday was the biggest mental test of the season then  these next two matches are the biggest matches of the season. Going on the road after such an emphatic and “message” sending tie will mean nothing unless Arsenal can capitalize on it when playing lesser teams. And today’s team, Wigan, are prime for the taking – all Arsenal need to do is realize the moment and opportunity they have and seize it.

On the surface this seems like an easy tasky. But, as we have discussed all season long, nothing is easy for this club. In a season where at the half way point the leading team has 38 points and teams are dropping points all over the place, Arsenal have had ample opportunities to stamp their authority in this season and failed to do so. Monday’s win against Chelsea will be all for nought if Arsenal don’t beat Wigan and then Birmingham.

Earlier in the season there were ties against, West Brom and Newcastle that had they been won would’ve put pressure on the league and frankly would’ve put the team as league leaders even with United’s unbeaten run (kind of hard to believe).

So it all comes down to seizing the moment. Realizing what is before them and if Monday was all about removing mental blocks and belief in themselves, then they need to take that belief to another level and show that they really are title contenders.

Can the happy times continue?

The time is never better. A solid, all around win against Chelsea was followed up by United dropping points to Birmingham. Instead of a 5 point gap, the gap is now 3 points. United, City and Arsenal could be all drawn on points at the end of the day. Arsenal have a game in hand over City and United have 2 games in hand. With a lot of games left to play, the adage of where the table is at January is the table at the end of the season – could never be sweeter as the season is setting up nicely for the Gunners.

The one component to this run of 4 games over 10 days is the depth of the squad. In my opinion Arsenal have the deepest squad of any of the title hunters. Look at Monday with a bench that had Arshavin, Rosicky, and Chamakh on it while Chelsea could only manage to have academy players there. United have shown that they get into trouble when injuries to their first team mount.  City and Spurs may be the closest in depth but they have their own problems (Spurs keep getting players sent off).

This Christmas time congestion is a big test of a club’s stamina and Arsenal should be able to rotate players with some ease. As I mentioned Monday, this is the healthiest I can remember the squad being with only 3 people off on the trainer’s table with the rest set to come back in at some point in January. It is imperative that Arsenal take advantage of that depth and health and use their players to get through this tight schedule.

Finally this should be a game of redemption for the Gunners. It was during this tie last season at the DW when with ten minutes to go, the Gunners, on some really shoddy goal keeping, coughed 3 goals in succession. It was the low of lows for the Gunners and effectively ended any hopes of a title run.

The team as well as that goal keeper – one Lukasz Fabianski will be looking for some revenge as we’ll look to carry the momentum of Monday’s win into today. And while Roberto Martinez has tried to do some good things, Wigan are clearly a side that can be had. All that matters now is to go for the juglar of the league and show once and for all that the team has “manned” up and that they are United’s true challenger for the title.

How the Match Should Play Out:
I’d really like to see the Gunners come out with the same pressing defence they did against Chelsea. If they play that way,  a team like Wigan that aspires to “total football” will open up like a flimsy can.  I suspect even with the fact the game is so close to Monday’s that the Gunners are going to come out flying high and pressing early. They will need to capitalize on that because the longer it takes for them to take control of the match the more belief that the opposition will have that they can survive.  Look for Samir Nasri to be that can opener as Wigan are hardly a defencive juggernaut.  Arsenal have been the league’s best away team and I don’t see that ending at the DW.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Tomas Rosicky. Has been showing signs that his form is coming back. Sure he isn’t making the goals but his decision making, passing skills and speed are really coming to light in the games he has played. With Fabregas out on 5 yellows, he will be the central point of the attack.

Wigan: Hugo Rodaellga. On a team that is having trouble scoring he is it’s leading scorer with 5 tallies on the season.

Projected Starting XI:

Arsenal 4-2-1-2-1 Wigan 4-3-3

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabregas (Suspended -1) Almunia (ankle) Frimpong (knee), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Wigan: Boyce (leg) Di Santo (ankle) Moses (shoulder) McCarthy (leg)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri12 (8 league) Chamakh 10 (7 league) Walcott 9 (6 league)

Wigan: Rodallega 5 (5 league) N’Zogbia 4 (3 league)

Last Meeting: (Carling Cup)
Arsenal: 2
Wigan: 0

Last 5:
Arsenal: LWWLW

Wigan: LLDDW

Goals For:
Arsenal: 1.7 (away)

Wigan: 0.9 (home)

Goals Against:
Arsenal: 1.0 (away)

Wigan: 1.7 (away)

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 17

Wigan: -14

Match Officials:
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistant Referees: Ceri Richards & Billy Smallwood
Fourth Official: Mike Dean

Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer.Tv 2:45 EST

UK: ?????? 1945 GMT

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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Wigan: 0

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