No Really This Should Be Fun: Arsenal v Wigan, Match Preview.
Hope Springs Eternal?
Oh for the love of Pete would some one please end this season? I mean last week United draw to Bolton and Arsenal lose to Spurs. Then this weekend with the league at stake Chelsea go and lose to that same Spurs. Seriously does anyone want to make any progress towards wrapping up this season?
For Arsenal fans many are asking themselves – is there hope. I mean a win against Wigan and they are back to 3 points off of Chelsea with 3 to play. Is it real hope or does False Hope Spring Eternal? Seriously, with the way the top three ping pong back and forth in mediocrity to sublime anyone one of them could wind up on top and more than likely just because they happened to win on that weekend.
On a Saturday that saw United eke out a win with no less than 15 seconds left on clock and saw Chelsea absolutely imlode and lose to Spurs – the league still has no idea who will this thing. Arsenal for their part face off against Wigan. A team who are now five points off the relegation zone. They managed that feat by drawing with relegation leaders and Harry Redknapp rape victims Portsmouth. They have a good manager in Roberto Martinez who is trying to get the Latics to play in a free flowing attacking style. Frankly though, the style isn’t befitting of his talent and they must still look in the rear view mirror to make sure they stay out of danager.
Arsenal need to be on their toes with this team. More so than they were on Wednesday. Chelsea and Liverpool were victims at the DW Stadium. They have had a penchant for taking some big scalps and with most of the Arsenal first teamers running around with the physio it could be another scalp they collect.
The sporting cliche’s have been used in abundance with this Arsenal squad this season. It’s a must win, they have to to keep pressure on the top – yada yada yada. The perspective right now depends on how view the season so far. Is it a success in that they have managed to stay in the title hunt despite having pretty much every member of their first team on the trainers table at one point for the season. Hell they’ve had 6 of their starting 11 on the trainer’s table for a minimum of 2 months. The other view is – its just another season without a trophy, Arsene has lost the plot, youth won’t get us anywhere, (fill in your own here).
For my perspective, if Arsenal are truly on an upward swing after two disasterous seasons then a win is the imperative. Not for the title reason but to show that the players have progressed, that they are indeed maturing and that everything that has been said about them is true. Yeah a win would be nice because it puts them right back into the title hunt. But it would be equally nice to show that the mentality we’ve – okay I’ve been talking about is true. If they’ve matured they need to move beyond the loss of Wednesday.
The line up for the match should be interesting. Denilson is a question mark and Song is out. Song’s presence is being missed more than Fabregas. Against Barca he was key to controlling Messi in the first match. In the second leg without him, Messi went wild. Without Song in the midfield against Tottenham, the defensive cover was weak and we did not get the ball back too often from that vantage point. Throw in the starting tandem of Vermaelen and Gallas form the defense and replaced by the dynamic duo of Campbell and Silvestre, well its an advernture almost worth watching (with one eye shut).
Also, while he played for 20 minutes on Wednesday, Robin Van Persie could start the match. It will be interesting whether Wenger puts Nicky B in the centre and RvP on the right wing or vice versa. Either way, the RvP adds a solid proven attacker to the team. He pairs up with an in form Nicky B and possibly Nasri on the other side and from an attack stand point its not a bad trio to have.
As for Abou Diaby – a quick word here. I suspect we will see a good show out of the lad. He hasn’t beenthe same since his last stint on the injury list. But its no longer a big match and Diaby does show up for the lesser matches.
How Does It All Play Out:
Let’s be blunt shall we. Arsenal controlled the Spurs match but Spurs were hungrier and made their chances count. Arsenal like playing against Wigan adn they have scoed four goals in each of their last few meetings. With the need to reassert themselves for now and for the future – Arsenal will come in hungry and on the attack.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. He’s baaaacccckkkk!!! He came on briefly against SPurs and in the first few moments made a beauty pass, had four shots and set Bendtner up for the shot. It goes with out saying what this season could’ve been like with a fit Robin. Simply put he changes the dynamic of play for the Arsenal attack.
Wigan: Hugo Rodallega. He’s killed Chelsea and Liverpool this year. Arsene has an eye on him. So should the Arsenal defenders and the Gunners faithful.
Probable Starting XI:
This should be fun. Really.
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Arshavin (calf), Gallas (calf), Song (knee) Djourou (knee), Fabregas (leg), Ramsey (leg), Gibbs (foot)
Wigan: Caldwell (suspended), Thomas (thigh), Kingson (groin)
Last Meeting (EPL)
Arsenal: 4
Wigan: 0
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Fabregas: 19 (15 league) Bendtner: 12 (6 league) Arshavin: 11 (9 league)
Wigan: Rodallega: 9 goals (9 league); N’Zogbia: 6 goals (4 league)
League Form:
Arsenal: LWDWW
Wigan: DLLWL
Match Officials:
Referee: Lee Mason
Assistant Referees: Jake Collin & Mick McDonough
Fourth Official: Mark Atkinson
TV Broadcast:
US: Foxsoccer.tv
UK: Sky Sports 1
Online Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT will be open: www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Wigan: 0
