What a contrast of emotions everyone felt last weekend. Gary Speed’s death shocked everyone in football on the Sunday, and Franco Di Santo gave everyone connected with the club that winning feeling we haven’t felt since the summer on the Saturday. Starting off with Gary Speed, there will be a minute’s applause before kick off tomorrow which will be respected across all UK matches for the former Wales boss. Speed, who played at the DW stadium for Bolton Wanderers on a couple of occasions, was a fantastic player and a gentleman. It’s such a loss for the sport and I’m sure the applause before the game will be very well received by both sets of supporters.
What a win it was last week at the Stadium of Light. I’ve stated in the last two previews that us getting the first goal is crucial, obviously I was wrong. Twice we have been behind before going onto lead in the last two games showing tremendous character within the club. What a feeling it was when Di Santo grabbed the last minute winner a week ago. It’s been far too long but 4 points from 6 means that we are right back in the hunt for survival but this month is not going to be easy as Chelsea,Liverpool and an away trip to Manchester United all loom. First though, Arsene Wenger brings his Arsenal side to Wigan.
Arsenal have enjoyed a mixed start to their campaign. There were calls for the manager to be sacked by some Gunner’s fans after a run which saw the club pick up just 7 points from a possible 21, almost effectively ruling them out of the title race at an extremely early stage. Form has improved in the past couple months though, mainly thanks to the return to fitness of Robin Van Persie. Arguably in the best form in his career, Van Persie has scored 21 goals in 23 games this season and 44 in 48 for 2011. An incredible record for the Dutchman who will have to be watched carefully on Saturday.
Martinez Talks About Recent Form
"I know we are good enough to get more points than last season. If we want to be lazy and assess teams by the table, it's going to give us a lot of false information. If you look at the two points we should never have lost last week, we would have been on the same points as Sunderland. We are two completely different football clubs with different budgets and different aspirations. We need to get the points we got last season and it's going to be a challenging year as it always is. But the truth is in football you need momentum. It's a team game and you need to play with confidence and belief. I just feel that in the last two weeks, the team has played without the fear we have shown before. This group of players has matured so much in the last few weeks. I am extremely proud." (Sky Sports.com)
Wigan Team News
Antolin Alcaraz sits out the final game of his 3 match ban and is the only absentee.Martinez has the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad but is expected to stick with the same side for the third week running. Di Santo may get a start after his goal last week but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.
Predicted Wigan Line Up
Al-Habsi
Gohouri Caldwell Figueroa
Stam Jones
McCarthy Diame
Gomez Moses
Sammon
Key Player for Arsenal
Robin Van Persie – Van Persie is on course to reach the same heights as Thierry Henry did for Arsenal if he maintains his current form. Great on either foot, Van Persie is deadly from set pieces and a menace in and around the box. There’s no doubt he’ll have chances and I’d imagine he’ll grab a goal with the form he’s in.
Wiganer.net Prediction
Arsenal have not won at the DW Stadium under Martinez, The games being the infamous 3-2 victory and the 2-2 draw last year. Yes I know it’s only 2 games but it’s a positive for sure. Another draw would be great but I think Arsenal will edge this one. The W.B.A. game next week is a big fixture and one where we will have to be looking at getting a result but knowing us we’ll beat Arsenal and lose to West Brom! However I’m going to stick to what I think will happen and go with an Arsenal win.
WAFC 1-3 AFC