Preview: Arsenal Vs Latics

Pollitt: Will hope to replicate his Highbury heroics

It is difficult to decide whether Wigan are lucky or not to be Arsenal's final opposition at Highbury. On a positive note, the Latics fans lucky enough to have a ticket will be involved in a day to remember, as Arsenal say goodbye to Highbury in style.

However, the eleven players wearing the Arsenal shirt will be determined to win emphatically, which doesn't bode well for the Wigan team. Not only is this the Arsenal players final chance to stake a claim before the Champions League final, but they must also win if they have any ambition to finish fourth.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell has warned his players not to get sucked into the expected party atmosphere: "We don't want to go there and be lambs to the slaughter. Arsenal will still want to win because they are still going for the Champions League so it is a massive game for them."

"It's not as big a game for us as far as i am concerned but there is still a lot to play for. If we do get the right result, then there is a lot of money at stake for us."

"Highbury is such a fantastic historic place, but they will want to go out with a bang. They beat Everton 7-0 on their last home game of the season but we have to make sure we don't get sucked into the party atmosphere."

There will be few Arsenal fans who have forgotten Mike Pollitt's heroics back

Roberts: Caused the Arsenal defence problems back in January

in January, as his outstanding performance helped Wigan reach the Carling Cup final. Pollitt is hoping to re-enact the 'greatest moment of his career' and spoil the Highbury party: "The Carling Cup night was a great night. Looking back on my career i can say it's one of the best nights - if not the best - i've had in football."

"it's a story i can bore my grandkids with, telling them i was the last visiting goalkeeper to play there."

Mike Pollitt is certain to start, as John Filan is still out injured along with Arjan De Zeeuw and Ryan Taylor. Gary Teale's pace will be sorely missed as he serves his suspension after being sent off against Portsmouth. Gary Teale's absence opens up a few possibilites for the starting eleven.

David Thompson is set to start on the right side of midfield, and will hope to make Jewell's decision whether to give him a contract an easy one. That leaves a space in the centre of midfield, and can be filled by either Scharner, Ziegler, Francis or most probably Andrea Johansson.

Jason Roberts will be Wigan's key man, as the Arsenal defence will not ahve forgotten the amount of problems he caused them, and in particular Sol Campbell.

Arsenal have injuries, sadly none to Thierry Henry! Lauren, Senderos and Diaby are ruled out, whilst they also have doubts over Adebayor and Flamini.

Ones To Watch

There are no prizes in guessing who Arsenal's danger man is. Thierry Henry is one of, if not the best striker in the world. Mix in the fact that it's highbury's last ever game and Henry will be at his most Lethal for sure. There is no real tactic to combatting Henry, other than hoping he has an off day and players such as Fabregas can't find that killer pass to him.

Pundits Predictions

Mark Lawrenson has gone for a 3-0 win for Arsenal, a very realistic result, some would say a little kind on Wigan. Sky Sports have gone for a 4-2 Arsenal victory, claiming the game will all be about brilliant attacking football, with Wigan causing Arsenal problems.

My Prediction

I've never gone for a Wigan defeat, and although the probability of Wigan winning this game are slim, my heart says we can get a draw. My head says we will get over run and lose heavily, as Henry will run riot.

My heart says: Arsenal 1 Latics 1 (unlikely)

My Head says: Arsenal 3 Latics 0