Arsenal return to winning ways with win over Wigan

Arsenal returned to winning ways as they beat Wigan 4-0 on Saturday afternoon at the DW Stadium. Goals from Arteta, Vermaelen, Gervinho and Robin Van Persie sealed the win as Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to seven league games. The Gunners dominated the game from start to finish as they rose to fifth in the table above Newcastle and Liverpool. It was important that Arsenal showed that not just the captain, Van Persie could score goals but others could aswell. The cleansheet was also important as it helped their goal difference rise to 7. There were two changes from the team that faced Fulham the week before as Koscielny came in for Djourou and Gervinho came in for Arshavin. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Francis Coquelin were on the bench.

Arteta scored his third Arsenal goal as the Gunners got back to winning ways

 The first chance of the match fell Wigan's way. Jones putting a ball into the box which was beaten away by Szczesny but straight to Gomez who looked as though he was going to score but Santos got an important touch on the ball to send it wide.

Arsenal hadn't really been able to create anything as Wigan looked the more likely in the first part of the match. However 28 minutes in a special strike from Mikel Arteta broke the deadlock. The Spaniard drove a shot from range which beat Al Habsi and found the back of the net.

A minute later Arsenal made it 2-0. Van Persie swung in a corner which found the head of Vermaelen at the back post to double the Gunners lead and for his second goal in as many games.

It was then almost 3-0 as Gervinho found Van Persie inside the box but he saw his effort brilliantly kept out by Al Habsi. Walcott then found the ball at his feet but he could only curl the ball over the bar with his weaker foot.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Arsenal.

The first action of the second half saw a strong penalty claim from Arsenal turned down. Ramsey got into the penalty area and was dragged back by Gohouri but the referee did not give the penalty.

Wigan almost found a way back into the game as Diame cut inside and hit a shot from outside the box but Szczesny was untroubled as the ball bounced just wide.

An hour into the game the Gunners made it 3-0. Van Persie played a one-two with Song before wrong footing two players and unleashing a shot. Al Habsi could only parm the ball away but straight to Gervinho who tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.

Arsenal's next chance fell to Van Persie after the referee played an advantage after Song had been brought down. The captain then managed to find space but only to slice his effort wide of the target.

The game though would not be complete without Van Persie scoring and he did just that with 12 minutues still left to play. Walcott sprinting clear down the right hand side and then beating Caldwell before cutting the ball back to Van Persie to fire home for 4-0 on his 250th Arsenal appearence.

The substitute Yossi Benayoun almost made it five as Arteta played the ball into him but he saw his attempted chip headed away by Caldwell.

The final score finished Wigan 0-4 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Wigan: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Caldwell, Figueroa, Stam, McCarthy, Gomez(59), Diame(89), Jones, Moses, Sammon(59).
Subs: Pollitt, Lopez, McArthur(89), Watson, Crusat(59), Di Santo(59), Rodallega.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Song(80), Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho(80), Walcott(80), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Coquelin(80), Benayoun(80), Arshavin(80), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh.

My man of the match: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 19,280