Arsenal Preview: Wenger Boys Come To Town

Another disappointing season for Arsenal in the Premier League with 4^th place probably the best they can achieve this season wit Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all locked in a three-way title challenge. This disappointment can be overlooked if they can succeed in the FA Cup where they are in the Semi Finals and will play Chelsea and also in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League, holding a narrow advantage over Villarreal after scoring in Spain earlier this week in the 1-1 draw. The Gunner's season is far from over.

Despite coming in for some criticism these past few seasons, Arsene Wenger has refused to give in to what others have been saying and spend heavily in the transfer market. This approach is certainly for the more patient Arsenal fan as Wenger nurtures his squad into title challengers. New signings Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin have come in and done well but other than that it has pretty much been the same Arsenal side since they moved to the Emirates in 2006. Wenger used the departure of Thierry Henry to rebuild his squad and now fans can start to see what Wenger has been planning.

When Latics went to the Emirates in the Carling Cup earlier in the season, the team was brushed aside by an extremely inexperienced Arsenal which shocked football fans across the country with Wigan fielding virtually a fully strength squad. Everybody knows Arsenal have always looked at their youth but this new batch which will soon come through could become some of the best players the team has had come through.

Wigan will want to forget the thumping they got at Everton on Sunday, the team looked like they were ready for their holidays instead of fighting for a European place. Steve Bruce will want to have that attitude knocked out of them going into Saturdays game against much tougher opposition.

Lee Cattermole is still suspended so will not feature with Ben Watson likely to keep his place, Michael Brown may drop down to the bench as Bruce looks to change his 4-5-1 formation into a more familiar 4-4-2 so Hugo Rodallega may get another chance up front. Amr Zaki could be on the bench but this is highly unlikely. Cho Won-Hee is out for the season after picking up an injury whilst on international duty.

Wigan Predicted Line Up

Kirkland

Melchiot Boyce Bramble Figueroa

Valencia Watson Scharner N'Zogbia

Rodallega Mido

Lukasz Fabianski - Fills in for Manuel Almunia and will want to prove a point to make sure he keeps the 'keeper jersey for as long as he can. The young Pole has got a vast amount of experience already and will be tough to beat.

Kolo Toure - Toure is part of the furniture at Arsenal now and still does a fantastic job for his team. Quick and strong, Toure is easily one of the best centre backs in the division.

Cesc Fabregas - The captain has only just returned from serious injury and will still be looking to regain match fitness but is an enormous threat. A fantastic range of passing gives Fabregas the ability to change games.

Andrey Arshavin - Signed in January in what was the transfer saga of the transfer window. Arshavin is superb. Shooting, passing and speed also the Russian to burst through on goal and score from difficult angles.

The atmosphere will have to be good to help create a good vibe around the stadium on Saturday in what is a very tough game. As last seasons game proved, a point is available but do not underestimate Arsenal. On their day they can wipe the floor with anyone.