Wigan v Arsenal Preview – Arsenal could jump into Third Place?
Wigan Athletic VS Arsenal Match Preview by AH
Arsenal will look to make it three consecutive wins when we face Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in this Saturdays 12.45 PM kick off. Arsenal performed well against struggling Reading and will hope to continue their return to form against Wigan, who themselves are not doing too well recently.
Despite what people think, Wigan is not an easy game and this was witnessed last season with The Latics beating us 2-1 at the Emirates last season. We did however impress in the corresponding game, running out as 4-0 winners however we cannot afford to underestimate this team. The Latics have gained just four points from the 6 games leaving them in the relegation zone and so they will be looking to grab some points from this game and haul themselves out of the bottom three.
There have been no midweek injures for Arsenal meaning it’s possible that Wenger could name the same starting XI that flourished in the 5-2 win over Reading on Monday. I expect Olivier Giroud to be welcomed back into the team from the start with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain being the player who drops out. There will be changes for Wigan however as key midfielder James McCarthy has sustained an ankle injury.
There for the most likely Arsenal line up is;
Szczesny
Sagna – Mertesacker – Vermaelen – Gibbs
Arteta – Wilshere
Cazorla
Walcott – Giroud – Podolski
Whilst Wigan are likely to line up as follows;
Al Habsi
Boyce – Lopez – Stam – Figueroa
Gomez – McArthur – Jones – Beausejour
Kone – Di Santo
They will look to punish and bully our defenders from set pieces, which is never Arsenal’s strong point however composure and good communication should be enough to secure a comfortable defensive display. Arsenal showed signs of this against Reading however the lack of communication between the defenders cost us two very cheap goals and it’s definitely an area we need to look at improving, whether that’s by adding to our squad with players or just spending a bit more time on the training pitch we will have to wait and see.
Based on recent performances, Arsenal should take all three points and I’m predicting a 3-1 win for Arsenal, which will take us into 3rd place, at least until the other Barclay’s Premier League games kick off at 3PM.
hope arsene does the maths and looks at the points from the top rather than the our position of 3rd place otherwise prepare for our new signing Diaby come january, tired of arsene’s sh*t
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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It’s shally gonna b 3 good points
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Hope we dont bottle it!!
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We should stick with the same team..dont fix sumthing thats not broken
COYG
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Wigan will be tough but we shall triumph
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Another good performance is really important! We need to back up the Reading performance with another away win! And getting up to 3rd would really be a massive confidence booster!
I think if we pitch up and play like we did against Reading then we will run out 4-0 winners!
I can hear the chants from the away supporters already:
OooOOOOOOO Santi Carzola OOOOOOooooooooooo Santi Carzola ….
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We usually start the season well and the performances then tapers off. Lets hope that we are finding form now so we can finish the season with a bang. Robin, mind the gap!!!!
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this is time gooners.show yr consistence.
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There used to be time when u could look at arsenals fuxtures and just add 3 points rhen see where youll be im the league but this arsenal team dont fool me anymore he should keep the same team maybe bring in bosschelney for mert anyway. I expect 3 pts but it wont be easy
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Consistency; consistency consistency!
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Please Mr. wenger try & win this match.
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Only when we play every game like a cup final can we find ourselves where we think we should be.
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This is our chance to climb to third position! The question here is..Can we hit the Nail at the Head? I sure hope so! COYG
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The key is not by playing Giroud, its by playing Walcott up top. He will cause the defence to sit deep and allow the 5 man midfield to play with space and freedom. by Playing Giroud, will help Wigan as they will play a higher line and compress play. There are no excuses for this one as all players are well rested and know they need to put teams like Wigan to the sword and exploit the gulf in class.
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Same team please AW. And 3points gurranty, but TW dnt miss one-on-one again and a CLEAN SHEET 4:0 boys.
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Could easily screw this up. The Ox had a great game against Reading bcause he’s direct on the wing, something Theo isn’t. And Theo up front gave Cazorla space in behind because Theo was making runs, somthing which won’t happen as much with Giroud.
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Its time we get mean!
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keeping a clean sheet is the answer, we will score against them!
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with giroud in the team, i dont think pod and walcot are give the luxury of rotating and swapping positions like they did against reading just due to the fact that Giroud is a poor dribbler on the wings, lacks pace and doesnt cross that ball that much..i for one wd rather we have the same starting eleven as of reading, say for Rosicky coming in for Wilshere( i wd love to see how we perform with out him in the team)
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i dont know whats wrong with arsenal if they beat the smaller teams they would be right up there challenging for the title, they need to be ruthless and switched on the full 90 to put these teams away, no more slip ups please
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Stick with PACE upfront Arsene!
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I rather we stick walcott up top.it will give cazorla d space he needs to operate. Giroud is a little immobile. I will be extremely angry if we bottle this 1. Wigan hv 5 first-teamers injured. Their key playmaker mccarthy, best CB caldweel,) all injured.so i expect nothing less than 3 convincing points. COYG
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Why Giroud? I wish Theo Walcott, will be given that chance as a striker again and Ox will start.
I believe the arsenal team that beat Reading have all it takes to win the game.
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Play Walcott through the middle, start with the same lineup of last game. Use Giroud in second half only if walcott isn’t doing well.
We need to settle on a solid starting lineup. Its time to stop gambling.
I hope if Wenger wants to play his BFF Ramsey, do it only late in second half if we are leading atleast by 2 goals and needs to slow down the game.
I get stroke and heart attack together if I see Gervinho even on the bench.
COYG!
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Fear is Arsene will tinker & play his love childs Ramsey Giroud & Gervinho and slow our play down to 40mph from 80mph against Reading!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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definitely a game wenger should be bringing koscielny back in to the picture.
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We can have 3 points, just keep RAMSEY N GERVINHO out!
Start ROSICKY too!
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WAIT A MINUTE…. U fans are very Bad, When Giroud was scoring, u want him to start, hero etc etc!
Dont U knw, our game is based on Wings, n from wings to whom U vl cross?????
Giroud gives us new dimension, He creates tension for opponents Fullbacks cox thy have to Stop the supply, secondly Giroud in Air, Walcott on Ground, its perfect combination!
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very very poor fans!who dont want Giroud to start!
I dont expect this from fans!
Wenger can Change formation to 4-4-2!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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—–SCZ—–
SAG-MERT-VERM-GIBBS
—–ARTETA——-
-CAZORLA-JACK-ROSICKY- (ALL INTERCHANGING POSITIONS)
-WALCOTT-GIROUD-
THERE SHOULD B SOME CHANGE IN FORMATION TOO :p
FOR PODOLSKI, HE PERFORMED EXCELLENT, BUT WE ALL KNOW HE IS NOT THAT MUCH CONSISTANT!
M PREFERING ROSCIKY OVER PODOLSKI!
PODOLSKI CAN B SUB AS STRIKER WHERE HE IS BEST!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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@artillery1 you always post nice poems!!
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@ artillery1
I get what your saying but I think we need to give Walcott what he wants and deserves for now. Can you imagaine a Theo Walcott on fire?? He will terrify defenders
However Giroud does offer us something totally different, but we need to play to our strengths, which is speed and counter attacks
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In addition, it would be madness to drop Podolski now after having a solid previous game and getting on the score sheet. this is what he needs to carry momentum
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Praying that Wenger picks the same lineup as the Reading game.
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Walcott as a CF.
Ox in RW.
Podolski on LW.
Gervinio on M1
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this Could be Wenger’s last season so he may want to leave winning something
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Tottenham willing to pay 6-8m for Yann M’Vila – but Arsenal are thought to have scouted him in 2-0 win vs Valenciennes acc to french media
here we go again i suppose it is the jannuary or Yannuary window coming up by the time transfer window get’s over m’vila will have completed atleast 100′s of medicals at emirates
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Giroud would be good if it was walcott and giroud upfront
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Wenger is planning to spend big in January transfer window.Fellaini is a confirm target player + cash.The player himself is willing to move.3 match suspension perfect hope chelski doesn’t interfere
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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My sources tell me Arsenal could sign Leo for 13.5p from FC Bullshit!
Wenger has gone on record to say “I don’t want to say too much but Leo is a huge bullshitter and maybe has the potential to be the biggest bullshitter of transfers in world transfer talk.”
Supposedly the clubs are locked in talks with one main contract clause being that Leo wants to bullshit at least 5,456,789 times a week. It seems Wenger wants the young lad to lower that target.
Even SAF has said of the player “Yes we looked at Leo and last season when he sat there acting like a don and claiming that M’vila to Arsenal was a done deal we knew right then what a first rate bullshitter he was. It’s a shame Arsenal got in first’
What a signing this could be boys and girls!
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@L hahaha nice one!!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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yeah it’s amazing because even though i write bull sh*t you waited for the oporrtune moment o comment you & ur sk i understand there were no comments made for some time you know what mourinho labbelled wenger when he was obsssed with chelski yeah right if it’s bulls*t don’t read it
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Am certain wenger would make a change in our lineup..but just hope gervinho and ramsey dont start..and also hope we get our 3pts.
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I dont understand why ba is injury prone. he has played for 2 seasons at newcastle and also played at westham earlier. also we would also have a medical check.
he is a proven goalscorer and has scored all types of goals. he has pace, tricks, experiance and wont take too long to adjust. anyone seeing him can notice his movement. he just needs a glimpse of goal and he shoots on target.
a proven epl striker at a bargain price of 7.5m and with not much wages. no gamble. also diame would be good. we should target epl players rather than from other leagues.
Manu signed lewandoski.
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play as good as tuesday and 3 points will be a no brainer
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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I’m pretty average at FIFA, actually haven’t won any trophies…
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Fellaini would be a very, very nice buy. .lets see what happens
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cont pre match press conf with new manager “L”
reporter on facing bayern
“L” What’s so bad about Bayern ? We played so well against a massive team like Bradford City. I am not fearful in the slightest
reporter on sigining messi’s son
“L” Our morale was damaged after we found out that we’d missed out on Lionel Messi’s newborn son. We had high hopes of him fitting straight in
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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@L
Oh god that made my night.
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interviwe with “L”
reporter how on earth did you get the job ahead of pep guardiola/klopp/mourinho did you do any trials
“L” i am “L” & i don’t do auditions.
reporter on trophies
“L” unlike wenger i have many targets’ starting with the emirates cup/asia cup/5th place europa league surviving relegation these are all trophies
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arsenal interested in arda turan after the player said he wants to leave athletico madrid
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Zaha done deal, ba is backup for spanish striker. Wenger wants a spaniard! . @afcamden COYG
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@ L, hahhaa! Wasn’t it Paul who predicted Yann Mvila??? I swear this Yann M’vila doesn’t really exist. Loool
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Guys!! Head to http://www.transferbullsh*tdaily.co.bs for all of Leo’s updates straight to your iPhone, android phone or tablets (iPad etc.) or twitter @leoloadofcrap.
And now Leo’s new app that you can download from the app store ‘Bullsh*t transfer News Weekly!” Limited Christmas time offer! Leo will actually pay you to download his app, he’s that desperate!
*DISCLAIMER WARNING* – Visiting Leo’s website, his twitter or downloading his app may actually cause your computer and devices to actually smell of sh*t due to the excessively high levels of bullsh*t. Leo and his management, Bullcrap PLC, take no responsibility or accept damage claims for sh*t smelling equipment.***
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@hugh are you sure because afcamden last time said sahin & m’vila to arsenal were done deals the spanish striker claim is true even gazdis claim we will be signing 2-3 players from spain llorente/villaa/soldado or negredo hope it’s soldado llorente is likely because even santi caorla is trying to convince him to join us
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Play Theo AND Giroud !!!!! Sign it Theo if u wanna be a LEGEND
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Team against Reading was good. if we can improve on CF and DF, i am sure we can achieve something. Poldi and Gibbs combines well. Arteta works hard, but we need some physcial presence. Theo has the mobility and pace, but again, he need to improve his strengh to hold the defender a bit more. if Theo is upfront, prefer to see back 4 give ball to Arteta/jack/santi instead of long ball to Theo.
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@l yipeeeeeeee did hannah montanna end back with more insults is that the best you go go home kid you are drunk
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For me i’ll go with walcott in this game@d up front;i ‘ll start with the same team@ reading,at around 70-75mins,i’ll sub walcott for giroud,or sub ox,move walcott to the right wing&giroud goes to the center!2nd hlf;if w r doing well,sub santi for rosicky&ramsey for wilshere,
My team:
woj
Sagna permerte tv5 gibbs
Arteta
Santi(sub rosicky) jack10
Ox (giroud sub) theophilus podolski(sub arshavin/gervinho).predicted score;0wigan -5arsenal;scorers:walcott2,arteta1,santi1,giroud1.
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Walcott must start through the middle, defenders sit 10 yards back and that allows ox, jack and santi to exploit the space. It was so evident in our last game. Of giroud plays their defence will play a high line and close the space. Mr wenger only you can control this.
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my new twitter account is leo@leo crapping on@l &have created a new one leo @leo sh*tting onL
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@l you spent way too much time watching cartoon network or disney channel’s hannah montanna got better insults come back with better digs
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yes yes yes i got one follower on twitter ie
leo @leo sh*tting on”L’ he is “L” awesome now i know why you follow my each & every transfer updates
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Does Wenger never watch replays of matches (from normal TV cameras)? Cause it’s painfully obvious that against Wigan we need to start with Theo up front, with Gervinho, Ramsey benched/mia and Giroud just benched. If he doesn’t do this then I will strangle that man one day.
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same team as against reading and same performance plz
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Guys we are looking at 3rd place if we win – after all the sh*tty performances we have had. Now imagine if we had won all those defeats against teams like Norwich, Swansea etc. We would probably be on top!! Wigan are preparing themselves to be very physical and it’s the best tactic against Arsenal. Our guys crumble under pressure. Wenger needs to instill it into the players that every minute is urgent. We don’t want fannying around in our own half or 3000 back passes. We want direction going forward, we want determination. We can win if our players have this mentality. I want Giroud to run his ass off and chase. It frustrates me when he just farts around off the ball. You don’t see Rooney, Tevez just sitting back when the opposition has the ball. They chase and are always putting pressure on the oppositions defense.
Don’t give them an inch Arsenal. Come on gunners WE BELIEVE IN YOU. Bring 3 points home
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@Leo all you do is relay what you see written on google or twitter then try and act like you have inside information. I dont mind yo posting news and speculation but dont act like your some high profile spy.
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Sorry but I just cant get too excited about the Reading result which to me was an ABOUT TIME result!!
Apart from last season away, Wigan have given Arsenal a torrid time, they have drawn with Arsenal, they have beaten them, knocked them out of cups, you name it??? Even when arsenal have beaten them, it has been a real struggle and usually a lucky break for Arsenal???
Arsenal have consistently made Wigan look really good?? Why? because Wigan get in their faces and really bang them about. One win does not a successful season make. This team has as much to prove on Saturday as it did before kick off Monday!!! An awful lot.
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The performances this season do not merit 3rd place!! Not even close!!! If Arsenal want 3rd place then go out and EARN it. The way Man UTD do, and that is week in week out performing????? It’s digging deep and getting a draw in the 89th minute when they are behind, or getting a win in the 89th when they are drawing??????
Lets see it Arsenal?
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Wigan play a back three you idiot!!! Anyway we should come out on top. I think sagna, poldi, gibbs, and maybe theo( if he plays on the wing) should stay back a bit, as the latics will be looking to get crosses in. It’ll be 1-2, 0-1 or 2-3.
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@joe when did i say the current info are from an insider the m’vila news is on net so what’s wrong in that it’s on le 10 sports & i do get certain insider news like usmanov now needs 29 shares to reach 30% where is it on google show me i said this more than 24 hrs before i am not asking you to believe me these are all transfer speculations never said we were going to sign them hence they are called speculations the kids here can’t understand it & speak crap even i am as excited as guys are when we get linked do you think i make these stories to wind you up no i would love wenger to sign some quality players
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@joe & the rest you don’t have to believe me or read my coments the next time word leo appears just skip it go to next comment now that’s not too hard is it
(ADMIN COMMENT – Leo, stop hijacking every thread with your transfer rumours – discuss the article you are responding to only)
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gervinho has gone to african cup of nations
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Fair play admin. Leo you wreak my head
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SZECZESNY
SAGNA PER THE VERMINATOR GIBBS
COQUELIN
ARTEA WILSHERE
SANTI CAZORLA PODOLSKI
WALCOTT
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leo your completely full of shi#… you have no insider information (maybe from a mate at the pub who knows someone who knows some ones aunt of some ones cousin who knows someone!!) lol all you do is spread complete bullshi# and annoy people!
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Leo is an idiot
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Are you sure about 4-4-2, my understanding is they will play 3-4-3 and attack from wide areas?
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Szczesny
Sagna-Mertesacker-Vermaelen-Gibbs
Coquelin-Wilshere
Arteta
Cazorla-Walcott-Rosicky
Bench: Mannone, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Eisfeld, Ox, Podolski, Giroud
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