Arsenal slip up against in form Wigan

Arsenal lost the chance to go 8 points clear of Spurs in third place as they lost 2-1 against relegation battlers Wigan at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night. The Gunners conceded two goals in as many minutes as Di Santo and Gomez struck for the visiting side and despite Vermaelen's goal half way through the first half, Wigan held on for a vital 3 points. It left Arsenal ruing the chance to extend their lead over their North London rivals in the battle for Champions League football next season, and with Chelsea coming up on Saturday the loss could look more damaging if they are to lose that match. Arsenal made one change to the side that beat Wolves in midweek as Tomas Rosicky came in for Aaron Ramsey. Johan Djourou kept his place in the side as Koscielny continued his two match suspension.

Thomas Vermaelen's headed goal wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Wigan

The first chance of the match fell Arsenal's way as Bacary Sagna curled the ball into the box to find Benayoun who found room inbetween two Wigan defenders but could only head the ball over the bar.

However, just seven minutes into the game, Wigan took the lead. They managed to catch Arsenal out on the counter attack as Gomez got forward before finding Di Santo who flicked the ball off Szczesny and put the ball into an empty net.

A minute later Wigan found themselves two goals up. Victor Moses did brilliantly down the left hand side to beat Sagna and then find a cross which Szczesny was unable to hold onto and Gomez was left with an easy finish.

Yossi Benayoun then had another chance to score with his head from Rosicky's cross but Al Habsi pulled off a brilliant save to deny the Isrealian who looked to already be off celebrating.

Arsenal were putting plenty of balls into the box and it finally paid off as Thomas Vermaelen headed home from a Rosicky cross to put the Gunners back into the match.

Robin Van Persie then tested Al Habsi for the first time in the match as he played a one-two with Ramsey before smashing a shot from distance which was parried out for a corner.

Djourou was next to have an effort on goal in a period of first half dominance from Arsenal.
Benayoun's cross was only headed out as far as Djourou by Caldwell who poked a shot just wide of the post.

The score at half time was 2-1 to Wigan.

Arsenal started the second half as they finished the first half and got straight back at Wigan. Andre Santos had two efforts on goal, one was blocked and the second almost found Van Persie but the ball just eluded him and the chance had gone.

Wigan then came close to extending their lead as Moses got the better of Sagna before cutting inside and hitting a shot which Szczesny managed to beat away.

Santos was then allowed to get forward again.Van Persie managed to get to the byline and pull the ball back into the path of the left back but instead of leaving the ball for Vermaelen, who would have been in a more promising position, Santos decided to take the ball himself and scuff his shot wide.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-2 Wigan.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou(74), Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta(8), Rosicky, Benayoun(60), Walcott, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Squillaci, Ramsey(8), Gervinho(60), Oxlade-Chamberlain(74), Chamakh.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez(86), Moses, Di Santo(75).
Subs: Pollitt, Stam, Diame(86), Watson, Jones, McManaman, Sammon(75).

My man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 60,060