Press conference

Wolverhampton W. V
Arsenal
11TH APR 2012

Monday 16th April
Kick off: 20:00
Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
1 – 2
Wigan Athletic

Arsenal V
Chelsea
21ST APR 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH

Interviews

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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

Full Time FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-2 Wigan
90

Yellow Card MCARTHUR BOOKED: The Wigan midfielder booked for a late tackle on Rosicky
90

Yellow Card AL-HABSI BOOKED: The Wigan keeper is booked for time wasting
89

LAST MOMENTS NOW: Arsenal need a final push but they can't find a way through, to the frustration of the home fans here
86

Substitution WIGAN CHANGE: Diame on for Gomez
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  We still believe, there is still time to do it but they need something quickly. You just need the ball to drop for you in the right place.
84

REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for the Fans' Forum with Tom Watt and Stephen Hughes. If you're calling from the UK, dial 020 7607 3200. If you're calling from outside the UK, dial +44 20 7607 3200
82

VAN PERSIE WIDE: Sagna puts a cross in from the right and Van Persie tries to flick it in but it's well off target
Top Comments:
- Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
  
  We're still hoping Arsenal can get something out of this game. This certainly was not in the script.
77

ARSENAL PRESSURE: Gervinho floats a lovely ball across the face of goal but no one can get touch as the hosts try to up their tempo
Top Comments:
- @matt_bird182 on Twitter says:
  
  Come on @Arsenal! We're the comeback kings!
75

Substitution WIGAN CHANGE: Sammon on for Di Santo
Top Comments:
- @PolosNPearls on Twitter says:
  
  Come on @Alex_OxChambo! Good sub, let's gets in some new legs and secure those 3pts. Still time for a win.
74

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Johan Djourou
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Wigan's back four have done an excellent job so far but now Arsenal fans have their wish. Let's see what he can do. It's difficult when a team is playing this deep.
72

Yellow Card SONG BOOKED: The midfielder has his name taken for a late challenge
69

GOMEZ FIRES WIDE: Wigan break upfield from a corner and Moses puts a deep cross to Gomez at the back post, but he fires wide
Top Comments:
- @Alan_Hamburgers on Twitter says:
  
  I'll now be happy for a draw now, I can just see us letting in another soft goal.
65

WIGAN SOAKING IT UP: Arsenal struggling to fully impose themselves in this second half, and Wigan are sitting back and pressing the hosts effectively
60

Yellow Card CALDWELL IN THE BOOK: He goes in unfairly on Rosicky and picks up a yellow card for his troubles.
60

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Gervinho comes on for Benayoun
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  We haven't seen too much of Gervinho in recent weeks but he is the kind of attacking threat Arsenal need. He is very direct and needs to use his pace to effect now.
59

HUGE CHANCE FOR WIGAN: A Djourou clearance defelcts into the path of Moses, one on one with Szczesny, but the Wigan striker takes his shot very early and the keeper gets down and saves easily. Massive opportunity
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  That's such poor defending from Arsenal, that has just come from a throw-in down the line. What a chance that was for Wigan.
58

SANTOS WIDE: Van Persie beats the offside trap and puts a good ball across the six-yard box and Santos hangs out a foot but defelcts it wide from close range
Top Comments:
- @E26football on Twitter says:
  
  Arsene needs to make a sub. Arsenal need a change to get them going again
55

VERMAELEN HEADS OVER: Van Persie hangs a corner up into the six-yard box from a corner but the Belgian defnder heads over
Top Comments:
- @twilsonlk on Twitter says:
  
  Rosicky has been fantastic, constantly weaving and probing, other players need to lift themselves to his level. COYG!
53

CHANCE FOR MOSES: The Wigan attacker shrugs off Bacary sagna and hits a firm shot that Szczesny saves, and after a scramble, Arsenal clear
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Moses is a huge threat down this left-hand side. He was too strong for Sagna and that is a good save from Szczesny.
51

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
50

GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Tim and Stephen will field your comments during the game
47

SANTOS CLOSE: The Brazilian fires in a shot that hits the defender and bounces back to him. He takes a touch in the box and fires a low shot that hits the defender and nearly falls for Van Persie but Wigan clear
Top Comments:
- @AndrewJMKennedy on Twitter says:
  
  We're playing well but I think we need a change to liven things up. The Ox gives us great runs and passes.
Kick Off WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Can Arsenal turn this around. The second half is underway
Half Time HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-2 Wigan
Top Comments:
- @BromleyLiam on Twitter says:
  
  I expect three goals from the Gunners, Van Persie looks ready to turn things around
44

VAN PERSIE CURLS WIDE: The captain lets fly with a free kick from 30 yards that goes wide of the right hand post
Top Comments:
- @geeteeoo on Twitter says:
  
  Wigan are doing their best to slow down Arsenal's tempo.
43

ARSENAL FINDING IT TOUGH: The Gunners are well on top but finding it hard to break down a well-organised Wigan defence
39

WHAT A CHANCE FOR WIGAN: Di Santo found himself in acres of space to the right of the Arsenal box and put it across the six-yard box but Arsenal just about manage to clear
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  The boss won't be happy with Arsenal defensively at half time. Wigan have a lot of men behind the ball but they look so dangerous on the break.
34

Yellow Card SAGNA BOOKED: The right back pulls baack Moses and has his name taken
32

SANTOS CURLS OVER: The siege continues as Santos weaves his way into the box, but curls his shot high and wide
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal have got to keep the ball moving quickly now they have momentum building. Andre Santos is at his best when he is going forward for me.
28

E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Tim and Stephen - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
Top Comments:
- @ArsenalDudester on Twitter says:
  
  I love it when our defenders come upfield! Makes the game much more exciting
27

#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
Top Comments:
- @SagarRai14 on Twitter says:
  
  Dare I say Arsenal have been the comeback kings this season?
26

ROSICKY OVER! The midfielder intercepts a Wigan pass and plays in Van Persie, who cuts it back to his team-mate but Rosicky bends his shot high and wide
24

JUST WIDE! Djourou strikes it inches wide after a scramble in the Wigan box. Arsenal completely on top, in search of an equaliser
Top Comments:
- Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal have gone up a few gears here all of a sudden and Wigan are simply hanging on.
23

VAN PERSIE'S SHOT SAVED: The captain lets fly from 30 yards, but Al-Habsi palms it over for a corner
Top Comments:
- @tjwilliamscom on Twitter says:
  
  A definite step in the right direction. Thanks, Verminator!
22

THEY'RE BACK IN IT NOW: After a lengthy spell in the Wigan half, finally Arsenal make the breakthrough. Rosicky did brilliantly, finding space to send in a good cross and Vermaelen powered it home
21

GOAL! - Thomas Vermaelen 1 : 2 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Vermaelen heads home from Rosicky's cross. Lovely header
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Thomas Vermaelen just does so well in both boxes. He is not the tallest but he attacks the ball so well. Al-Habsi had no chance.
19

ONE WAY TRAFFIC: Despite the scoreline, Arsenal are camped in the Wigan half, but the visitors are content to get 10 men behind the ball and frustrate the hosts
16

WHAT A SAVE: Arsenal are laying siege to the Wigan goal and Benayoun's header is palmed away by Al-Habsi when it was arrowing into the top corner
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  That is much more like it. It was a great ball from Rosicky, Benayoun got up there once again and Al-Habsi made a great save. They added a bit of tempo to it.
15

VAN PERSIE SHOT BLOCKED: Rosicky released the captain in the area but his shot is blocked before he can get it away
Top Comments:
- @michael781grant on Twitter says:
  
  Wigan don't know how to shut up shop, they will go searching for more.
13

COME ON ARSENAL: The crowd are staying with the team at the moment. They seem flat, but the Emirates faithful are trying to lift them
9

ARSENAL IN TROUBLE: It's been a sluggish start by the hosts and Wigan have stunned them with two early goals. They have been caught on the break twice, and it has hurt them badly. Can they comeback again?
Top Comments:
- Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
  
  The only positive you could say is that this has happened so early in the game. There is still time to turn this around and win it.
8

Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Ramsey on for Arteta
8

GOAL! - Jordi Gomez 0 : 2 GOAL FOR WIGAN: Gomez pokes home after a mistake in the Arsenal area and Moses weaved into the box
Top Comments:
- @Tomcat1168 on Twitter says:
  
  Can't believe what I am seeing here... Wake up Arsenal!
7

GOAL! - Franco Di Santo 0 : 1 GOAL FOR WIGAN: Di Santo scores after a breakaway for the visitors
Top Comments:
- Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Arsenal got caught out there, they had too many players forward and Wigan took full advantage. Arteta is struggling now.
5

AL HABSI SAVES! Sagna sends in a deep cross and Benayoun leaps and plants a firm header at goal by the Wigan keeper pushes it over the bar. Close
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  You wouldn't believe it would you? Benayoun, one of the smallest players on the pitch and he's actually unlucky there.
2

VERMAELEN FIRES WIDE: Arsenal keep hold of the ball for what seems like minutes before Vermaelen strides forward and crashes a shot just wide from 25 yards out
Top Comments:
- @goonerade on Twitter says:
  
  On the ball tonight you Gunners, let's cement that third place.
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF! Arsenal get us going, and they will attack from right to left in this first half
Top Comments:
- Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Wigan's away form has been excellent this year, it's their home form which has let them down. They'll bring some confidence into this game.
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Tim and Stephen will field your comments during the game
HERE THEY COME: The players are out to a big roar from the Emirates faithful. Big chance for Arsenal to take a major step towards a top-three place
Top Comments:
- @izzzyz on Twitter says:
  
  Theo to score again, I can feel it.
WE'RE MINUTES AWAY: The players are in the tunnel and we're almost ready for kick off here in a slightly chilly North London
VAN THE MAN: The captain has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year, and the Gunners will be hoping he can continue his superb form against Wigan
BIG TEST FOR SANTOS: The Brazilian left back could be up against the in-form Victor Moses tonight, and it would be a major challenge
GIBBS ON THE BENCH: The left back has recovered from a groin injury and is named on the bench
ROSICKY BACK: The Czech midfielder is the only change to the team that beat Wolves 3-0 last Wednesday, with Aaron Ramsey making way
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Tim and Stephen - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
SUBS: Pollitt, Watson, McManaman, Jones, Diame, Stam, Sammon
WIGAN: Al-Habsi, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez, Moses, Di Santo
SUBS: Fabianski, Gibbs, Squillaci, Ramsey, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Djourou, Santos, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Benayoun, Walcott, Van Persie
Tonight’s match starts at 8pm (UK time), but the Matchday Show gets underway 25 minutes earlier. Tim Peters and former Gunner Stephen Hughes will be in the studio to bring you analysis of the victory over Wolves, the latest team news plus footage of Arsène Wenger's pre-match interview
The visitors have never won at Arsenal in any competition, while Roberto Martinez has only won one of his six clashes against Arsene Wenger
The Gunners have a battle on their hands, although they have a good record against Wigan, having won 10 of their 13 encounters against them
Wigan were desperately unlucky to lose to Chelsea a week ago, but made up for it with an impressive 1-0 victory against Manchester United last Wednesday
Arsenal have the chance to go eight points clear of fourth-placed Tottenham with a victory tonight, although it will not be easy against Roberto Martinez’s side
Welcome to live coverage of tonight’s Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic at Emirates Stadium