Wigan Athletic against Arsenal

Here comes Van Persie, for Eastmund.

A horror show from Fabianski - he's been shaky all day and he made a mess of that. He tried to catch the ball and drops it onto Bramble's head, and the ball falls over the line before Clichy can clear. Dodgy keeper indeed.

GOAL! Bramble!

Off the line! Watson gets up to glance a header past Fabianski but Nasri clears on the line!

The ball in from Watson is a good one and Silvestre's header takes it behind for a corner.

Nasri looks disgusted as the ref gives a goal kick and not a corner after his challene with Gohouri. Now Wigan win a free kick on the left flank as Sagna fells Moses.

Nopw N'Zogbia shakes off Silvestre but can't pick out a blue shirt in the box as Fabianski covers his near post well.

Wigan are pressing now and the crowd are interested again. It could be an interesting final six minutes.

A great run from Moses, who has grown in confidence after his part in the goal. He skips round Clichy but is halted by Campbell.

Arsenal changes: Rosicky and Walcott off, Merida and Eboue on.

A nice move as McCarthy found N'Zogbia, he danced into space and fed Moses out wide and his cross is met with a strong sidefoot from Watson. Game on.

GOAL! Watson! A lifeline!

Titus Bramble strolls forward and has a pop but drags it wide. Ambitious, to say the least.

Nasri collects a poor pass from Thomas and looks gfor Bendtner but his ball had too much juice on it and the Dane can't get there.

Gohouri's error nearly lets in Bendtner but Kirkland is out to grab it.

Still no sign of Robin van Persie. Maybe Wenger will keep him fresh as he is enjoying a two-goal lead.

Watson spins in a free kick from the right and Bramble lurks but Bendtner clears with a good header.

Another weak shot from N'Zogbia as he got into the area, tracked by Clichy. He's normally got a good punt on him too.

Diaby and Walcott try an intricate move inside the area but Moses intervenes with a good, strong tackle.

Wigan have been much better in this second half but they need to start converting these chances. They may not get many more.

Walcott picks up the free kick and has a go but Figueroa blocks.

Bramble will get a booking now after felling Walcott. The winger was away before Bramble chopped him down near the touchline.

Another promising break for WIgan as Thomas robs Diaby and feeds Rodallega but though he gets ahead of Campbell to strike he scuffs it wide. They've no firepower at all up front.

Wigan move the ball well again before Thomas has a crack but Bramle blocks the shot.

Another neat break from Wigan as N'Zogbia runs at Campbell but then delays and can't find Moses with his pass. Nearly but not quite.

Here comes Victor Moses for Moreno.

N'Zogbia cuts in from the right and feeds Watson and his shot forces a smart save from Fabianski.

Campbell launches a run forward before losing the ball. Wigan's move breaks down, much to his relief. Sol shouldn't be dribbling upfield like that.

Looks like Victor Moses is coming on for Wigan...

Fabiankski employs a flying punch to clear the corner and then watches as Figueroa's ball back in sails past everyone.

McCarthy embarks on a decent run before his shot is blocked, then Figueroa's effort befalls the same fate.

A decent ball into the box from Watson evades Campbell but Sagna makes sure Rodallega can't get a shot in.

They won't get back into the game like that, as N'Zogbia dribbles a shot wide from fully 35 yards when all his big men were in the box.

This is going to be a tough ask for Wigan now. Arsenal can just sit in and hit them on the break.

The replay of the penalty incident shows there was definitely a little tug on Watson from Nasri but whether it was enough to warrant a penalty I'm not sure.

N'Zogbia has just spurned a superb chance to pull one back as he went clean through, just as Diaby had a moment ago, but his shot is weak, allowing Fabianski to get down and save.

As the corner comes in, Silvestre gets a free header on the penalty spot and he finds the corner as Watson scurries across to try and clear. A great start for Arsenal.

GOAL! Silvestre!

Now Arsenal have a great chance as Diaby plays a one-two with Bendtner and is through but Kirkland saves his attempted chip.

The first incident of the half sees Nasri tug Ben Watson in the box and Lee Mason says no. That looked iffy to me.

We begin again....

There is half time and Arsenal deservedly lead. It perhaps should have been more than one but Walcott's goal has given them a nice cushion. See you in 15 minutes.

Eastmund is penalised for handball as he tried to control a bouncing ball.

Walcott's nearly made it two. He raced away after picking up a loose ball and stepped outside Gohouri before firing a shot narrowly wide.

That was a decent finish and a lovely pass from Bendtner. A typical Arsenal goal really, silky and smooth.

Finally, Walcott makes the Gunners' pressure pay. He collected Bendtner's pass and cruised past Bramble before getting his balance and tucking the ball under Kirkland.

GOAL! Walcott!

Can Arsenal turn their pressure into a goal before half time?

Walcott is so frustrating, and I'm not even an Arsenal fan! He moved inside nicely there before hitting a truly awful pass right at Thomas.

Silvestre does well to hold off Moreno and get the ball back to his 'keeper.

Now kirkland slices his clearance horribly and gives Arsenal a throw in.

Well done James MCarthy as he tracks Nasri's run, wins the ball and then forces the Frenchman into a foul. He gets a yellow, which was a bit harsh really. Maybe it was for dissent, and knocking the ball away, in which case it was justified.

Rosicky cuts inside and has a pop but Kirkland is equal to it.

Nice work from Walcott and a good cross from Sagna but two Arsenal players in the box lose their footing.

This better from Arsenal as Nasri and Rosicky combine before the latter corsses. Walcott is lurking but Figueroa clears.

A superb ball from Diaby puts Walcott in down the right channel with only the 'keeper to beat and he attempts a cross to a heavily marked Bendtner. A terrible, terrible decision.

Campbell looks for Nasri but he had strayed offside. Arsenal lacking cutting edge just like they did against Spurs in midweek.

Rodallega does well to win the ball back then launch an attack before Sagna blocks him. Wigan want a booking but none isd forthcoming.

Wigan win a corner and N'Zogbia gets into the area before knocking ball past Eastmund and fouling the Arsenal youngster and he tried to catch it up.

Rosicky looks for Bendtner over the top but Bramble got his head on it before kirkland claims. Good defensive work.

A good ball from Diaby gets Walcott in down the right channel but his cross is partially blocked by Gohouri before Kirkland claims.

N'Zogbia cuts infield as Eastmund loses out to him but the eventual shot is right at the 'keeper.

Walcott swings in the free kick and Campbell gets a free header but glances it wide of the target. A decent opportunity.

Hendry Thomas slips and lets Diaby in, then tugs Diaby back as he trotted on and gets a booking.

Fabianski flaps again at the corner and as N'Zogbia puts it back in the ball is a little too strong for Moreno.

Silvestre concedes a corner as Watson looks long for Rodallega, Fabianski should have come for that maybe.

Watson tries to spread the ball wide for N'Zogbia but Rosicky slides in to prevent it getting there.

Moreno tries to liven things up with a shot from range but Campbell's blocks takes it through to Fabianski.

Watson misplaces his pass as Wigan go forward. The game has hit the wall in the last five minutes....

A few players are slipping on the new turf and the ball isn't fizzing off it at all, it is rather slow and ponderous.

Diaby's boot is dangerously high as he tries to bring down a ball from Clichy and Figueroa is caught on the shoulder. He looks ok.

A mazy run from Walcott ends in a rather weak shot that Kirkland watches wide.

Lovely football from Arsenal as Rosicky flicks to Diaby, who should have busted it, but he finds Walcott and his cross is cleared. Corner, from which Bendtner strikes and Kirkland saves low down.

Now Wigan break forward and create a half chance as McCarthy and Moreno cause trouble and N'Zogbia strokes a shot wide of the post.

Clichy strikes it under the wall, as Matty Taylor did for Bolton at Stoke yesterday, but it is a dribbler and Kirkland swallows it.

Walcott steps inside Bramble and Arsenal have a free kick. It is right of centre and 25 yards out.

Nasri spins away from McCarthy and threads a ball for Bendtner, who wasn't on the same wavelength at all.

Watson's corner is an excellent one and no-one gets a touch on it. Fabianski froze and Moreno and Campbell were tussling but the ball flashed across the six yard box without contact being made.

Watson gets stuck in with Sagna and wins Wigan a corner, after Campbell crunched in on Moreno.

Clichy crosses from the left and Figueroa nods back to Kirkland.

A poor clearance from Czmpbell puts Arsenal in danger as Watson finds N'Zogbia, and though he blazes over, he was offside.

A strong run from Diaby takes him deep into Wigan territory but as he tries to release the ball to Walcott, who was streaking through, Bramble gets the block in.

An early test for Campbell as Rodallega tries to nip past him but big Sol gets there first and clears well.

I can happily report the pitch at the DW actually looks up to scratch for once. It has been relaid recently though.

We're off...

Chelsea's defeat at Spurs has opened a little door for Arsenal, who can take themselves to within three points with a win today. Wigan need points if they are to pull away from the drop zone. The teams are out..

Meanwhile, Lukasz Fabianski starts in goal ahead of Manuel Almunia for Arsenal. Almunia is suffering with a wrist injury.

Hendry Thomas misses out for Wigan in midfield due to a thigh injury, while Steve Gohouri gets a start in defence with Gary Caldwell suspended.

In defence, Mikael Silvestre partners Sol Campbell due to Thomas Vermaelen's calf problem.

Craig Eastmond is given a rare start in central midfield with Denilson out with a groin strain.

Arsenal have left Robin van Persie on the bench for the trip to Wigan, with Nicklas Bendtner again starting as the lone frontman.

Still no sign of Robin van Persie. Maybe Wenger will keep him fresh as he is enjoying a two-goal lead.

Watson spins in a free kick from the right and Bramble lurks but Bendtner clears with a good header.

Another weak shot from N'Zogbia as he got into the area, tracked by Clichy. He's normally got a good punt on him too.

Diaby and Walcott try an intricate move inside the area but Moses intervenes with a good, strong tackle.

Wigan have been much better in this second half but they need to start converting these chances. They may not get many more.

Walcott picks up the free kick and has a go but Figueroa blocks.

Bramble will get a booking now after felling Walcott. The winger was away before Bramble chopped him down near the touchline.

Another promising break for WIgan as Thomas robs Diaby and feeds Rodallega but though he gets ahead of Campbell to strike he scuffs it wide. They've no firepower at all up front.

Wigan move the ball well again before Thomas has a crack but Bramle blocks the shot.

Another neat break from Wigan as N'Zogbia runs at Campbell but then delays and can't find Moses with his pass. Nearly but not quite.

Here comes Victor Moses for Moreno.

N'Zogbia cuts in from the right and feeds Watson and his shot forces a smart save from Fabianski.

Campbell launches a run forward before losing the ball. Wigan's move breaks down, much to his relief. Sol shouldn't be dribbling upfield like that.

Looks like Victor Moses is coming on for Wigan...

Fabiankski employs a flying punch to clear the corner and then watches as Figueroa's ball back in sails past everyone.

McCarthy embarks on a decent run before his shot is blocked, then Figueroa's effort befalls the same fate.

A decent ball into the box from Watson evades Campbell but Sagna makes sure Rodallega can't get a shot in.

They won't get back into the game like that, as N'Zogbia dribbles a shot wide from fully 35 yards when all his big men were in the box.

This is going to be a tough ask for Wigan now. Arsenal can just sit in and hit them on the break.

The replay of the penalty incident shows there was definitely a little tug on Watson from Nasri but whether it was enough to warrant a penalty I'm not sure.

N'Zogbia has just spurned a superb chance to pull one back as he went clean through, just as Diaby had a moment ago, but his shot is weak, allowing Fabianski to get down and save.

As the corner comes in, Silvestre gets a free header on the penalty spot and he finds the corner as Watson scurries across to try and clear. A great start for Arsenal.

GOAL! Silvestre!

Now Arsenal have a great chance as Diaby plays a one-two with Bendtner and is through but Kirkland saves his attempted chip.

The first incident of the half sees Nasri tug Ben Watson in the box and Lee Mason says no. That looked iffy to me.

We begin again....

There is half time and Arsenal deservedly lead. It perhaps should have been more than one but Walcott's goal has given them a nice cushion. See you in 15 minutes.

Eastmund is penalised for handball as he tried to control a bouncing ball.

Walcott's nearly made it two. He raced away after picking up a loose ball and stepped outside Gohouri before firing a shot narrowly wide.

That was a decent finish and a lovely pass from Bendtner. A typical Arsenal goal really, silky and smooth.

Finally, Walcott makes the Gunners' pressure pay. He collected Bendtner's pass and cruised past Bramble before getting his balance and tucking the ball under Kirkland.

GOAL! Walcott!

Can Arsenal turn their pressure into a goal before half time?

Walcott is so frustrating, and I'm not even an Arsenal fan! He moved inside nicely there before hitting a truly awful pass right at Thomas.

Silvestre does well to hold off Moreno and get the ball back to his 'keeper.

Now kirkland slices his clearance horribly and gives Arsenal a throw in.

Well done James MCarthy as he tracks Nasri's run, wins the ball and then forces the Frenchman into a foul. He gets a yellow, which was a bit harsh really. Maybe it was for dissent, and knocking the ball away, in which case it was justified.

Rosicky cuts inside and has a pop but Kirkland is equal to it.

Nice work from Walcott and a good cross from Sagna but two Arsenal players in the box lose their footing.

This better from Arsenal as Nasri and Rosicky combine before the latter corsses. Walcott is lurking but Figueroa clears.

A superb ball from Diaby puts Walcott in down the right channel with only the 'keeper to beat and he attempts a cross to a heavily marked Bendtner. A terrible, terrible decision.

Campbell looks for Nasri but he had strayed offside. Arsenal lacking cutting edge just like they did against Spurs in midweek.

Rodallega does well to win the ball back then launch an attack before Sagna blocks him. Wigan want a booking but none isd forthcoming.

Wigan win a corner and N'Zogbia gets into the area before knocking ball past Eastmund and fouling the Arsenal youngster and he tried to catch it up.

Rosicky looks for Bendtner over the top but Bramble got his head on it before kirkland claims. Good defensive work.

A good ball from Diaby gets Walcott in down the right channel but his cross is partially blocked by Gohouri before Kirkland claims.

N'Zogbia cuts infield as Eastmund loses out to him but the eventual shot is right at the 'keeper.

Walcott swings in the free kick and Campbell gets a free header but glances it wide of the target. A decent opportunity.

Hendry Thomas slips and lets Diaby in, then tugs Diaby back as he trotted on and gets a booking.

Fabianski flaps again at the corner and as N'Zogbia puts it back in the ball is a little too strong for Moreno.

Silvestre concedes a corner as Watson looks long for Rodallega, Fabianski should have come for that maybe.

Watson tries to spread the ball wide for N'Zogbia but Rosicky slides in to prevent it getting there.

Moreno tries to liven things up with a shot from range but Campbell's blocks takes it through to Fabianski.

Watson misplaces his pass as Wigan go forward. The game has hit the wall in the last five minutes....

A few players are slipping on the new turf and the ball isn't fizzing off it at all, it is rather slow and ponderous.

Diaby's boot is dangerously high as he tries to bring down a ball from Clichy and Figueroa is caught on the shoulder. He looks ok.

A mazy run from Walcott ends in a rather weak shot that Kirkland watches wide.

Lovely football from Arsenal as Rosicky flicks to Diaby, who should have busted it, but he finds Walcott and his cross is cleared. Corner, from which Bendtner strikes and Kirkland saves low down.

Now Wigan break forward and create a half chance as McCarthy and Moreno cause trouble and N'Zogbia strokes a shot wide of the post.

Clichy strikes it under the wall, as Matty Taylor did for Bolton at Stoke yesterday, but it is a dribbler and Kirkland swallows it.

Walcott steps inside Bramble and Arsenal have a free kick. It is right of centre and 25 yards out.

Nasri spins away from McCarthy and threads a ball for Bendtner, who wasn't on the same wavelength at all.

Watson's corner is an excellent one and no-one gets a touch on it. Fabianski froze and Moreno and Campbell were tussling but the ball flashed across the six yard box without contact being made.

Watson gets stuck in with Sagna and wins Wigan a corner, after Campbell crunched in on Moreno.

Clichy crosses from the left and Figueroa nods back to Kirkland.

A poor clearance from Czmpbell puts Arsenal in danger as Watson finds N'Zogbia, and though he blazes over, he was offside.

A strong run from Diaby takes him deep into Wigan territory but as he tries to release the ball to Walcott, who was streaking through, Bramble gets the block in.

An early test for Campbell as Rodallega tries to nip past him but big Sol gets there first and clears well.

I can happily report the pitch at the DW actually looks up to scratch for once. It has been relaid recently though.

We're off...

Chelsea's defeat at Spurs has opened a little door for Arsenal, who can take themselves to within three points with a win today. Wigan need points if they are to pull away from the drop zone. The teams are out..

Meanwhile, Lukasz Fabianski starts in goal ahead of Manuel Almunia for Arsenal. Almunia is suffering with a wrist injury.

Hendry Thomas misses out for Wigan in midfield due to a thigh injury, while Steve Gohouri gets a start in defence with Gary Caldwell suspended.

In defence, Mikael Silvestre partners Sol Campbell due to Thomas Vermaelen's calf problem.

Craig Eastmond is given a rare start in central midfield with Denilson out with a groin strain.

Arsenal have left Robin van Persie on the bench for the trip to Wigan, with Nicklas Bendtner again starting as the lone frontman.