THE UGANDAN GOONERS

ARSENAL VS WIGAN PREVIEW

Barclays Premier League
Round 37
Ref: Mike Dean
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
First leg result: Wigan 0:1 Arsenal

I have always sympathized with Wigan being relegated mainly in the Roberto Martinez era because of the kind of football they play and regarding Martinez as a young manager with a bright managerial career which doesn't deserve to be tainted by relegation though I blame him for not being able to pull away from relegation battles for 3 successive seasons.
We managed to grab a 1:0 victory at the DW stadium, thanks to a Mikel Arteta 60 minute penalty after Jean Beausejour was penalized for a challenge on Theo Walcott, though it was not easy but that’s all part of the game.

Arteta celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the first leg at the DW.

At this point in time, it’s a must win for both teams as we fight to finish in the top 4 to play champions football plus the financial gain if you like next season, that means all the sympathy I or we have for Martinez and his team must be put on hold till the end of the 90 minutes. Matters were made worse by wins for Chelsea and Tottenham away at Aston villa and Stoke city respectively which wasn't easy for both of them but they managed to do it. That means the onus is on us right now and there is no margin for era this time around. Wigan lost to Swansea at home in midweek meaning they must win at our barkyard to make their hopes of playing Premier league football next season alive.

They may come in full throttle after their FA cup triumph at the weekend against poor Man city and with a lot of belief after coming at the emirates stadium last season in the same situation and managed to get that highly coveted win which boosted their top flight stay by then but I can only remind them that that you can escape today, tomorrow, the other day but not forever.

Wigan has experience in relegation battles as they managed to beat nearly everyone who surfaced last season including the current champions in order to stay up though this time around the defeat to Swansea at home hurt them so severely but we also have experience in fighting for top 4.

Arsenal need this win come what may. We are now in the 5th position trailing Chelsea by 5 and Spurs by 2 points meaning only a win will help us regain our top 4 status , a draw means we shall be short by one point and only waiting to see how our rival Tottenham fair in the last game as Chelsea seems to be already there due to a superior goal difference and 3 points ahead of spurs wit only one game left for both of them.

Arsene Wenger and Roberto Martinez share a moment after the last meeting.

The should be kept as it has been playing the previous games only Gibbs should come in for Monreal who was tormented by Andros Townsend versus QPR, I think he needs a rest.
Walcott should stay on the right and Poldi in the middle, Rosicky deserve a place due to the fluidity he adds to the team.
Our captain Vermaelen still has to wait as he works harder to get back in the team.
Jack Wilshere needs a rest and wish he comes back next season super fit to lead the team with the captains armband like Tony Adams did at 21.
Giroud is still out due to suspension and will only be available in the next game versus Newcastle at the St James’ park.

Probable line up (4-2-3-1)

                    Szczesny

Sagna-Koscielny-Mertesacker-Gibbs

            Ramsey-Arteta

     Walcott-Carzola-Rosicky

                   Podolski

There is not a major injury scare for both teams so I expect them to come in full strengthen.
Wigan after their FA cup game may come a little bit knackered but that should not be an advantage to us as anything can happen as it happened to Man city.

Prediction: a 3:1 win for the Arsenal.

Writtewn by BAHATI @BAHATISM for THE UGANDAN GOONERS @ugooners