Monday, April 16, 2012

Premier League - Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

<blockquote class='posterous_long_quote'> <div class="sp-article-additional"> <img src="http://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20120416/25/b07d961f04e8a9d340a63c1b4873b31f.jpg" height="196" alt="Kieran Gibbs Arsenal - 0" width="377" /> <div class="mod alt nofoot inner sp-mod-link-list"> <div class="hd"> <div class="wrapper"> <h3>Related links</h3> </div> </div> <div class="bd"> <p> </p><div class="bd content"> <ul> <li>Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: LIVE at 8pm</li> <li>Watch Premier League highlights</li> <li>Premier League photos</li> <li>Premier League fixtures/results</li> <li>Premier League table</li> <li class="last">More news from your team</li> <li class="betting">Bet on Football - Get £25 Free</li> </ul> </div> <p> </p></div> <p> </p></div> </div> <p><b>TEAM NEWS</b></p> <p>Full-back&nbsp;Kieran Gibbs&nbsp;has a 50-50 chance of returning against Wigan as his groin injury is healing fast, according to Arsenal&nbsp;manager Arsene Wenger. Midfielder&nbsp;Gervinho&nbsp;(ankle) is also likely to be back while midfielders&nbsp;Abou Diaby&nbsp;and&nbsp;Francis Coquelin&nbsp;(both hamstring) are set to return to the squad next week for full training. Defender&nbsp;Per Mertesacker&nbsp;is continuing his rehabilitation in&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;after suffering an ankle injury against&nbsp;Sunderland in February. Defender&nbsp;Laurent Koscielny&nbsp;is suspended.</p> <p>Striker&nbsp;Hugo Rodallega&nbsp;is Wigan's only injury concern ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium. Rodallega has not played for the Latics since March 11 due to a knee problem but is back in training and will be assessed before the trip to north London. Otherwise, manager&nbsp;Roberto Martinez&nbsp;has a full squad to select from.</p> <p><b>MANAGER QUOTES</b></p> <p>Arsene Wenger: "That is the impression they got out of the Chelsea game because they played well and showed it again against Manchester United. Victor Moses is a threat. They are solid at the back now with three centre-backs and two protective midfielders. Overall I believe it is a team which is well balanced. Any team who fights not to go down finds some momentum. Every year they find it just before they are out of the league. They have found a structure of the team that is better suited for them maybe than before."</p> <p>Roberto Maritnez: "Probably this is an even tougher task (then beating Manchester United at home). We are going away from home and playing against a side who have been as successful as ever at home. If you look at the last few performances they have been untouchable in the way they are playing their football, controlling games and scoring goals. But we know that if we are at our best, we can be competitive against anyone."</p> <p><b>MATCH FACTS</b></p> <p>Arsenal have scored 19 goals in their last six league meetings with Wigan (3.16 per game).</p> <p>The Gunners have won 10 of their 13 PL meetings with the Latics (D2 L1).</p> <p>Arsenal have won all nine matches at home to Wigan in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last six.</p> <p>The Latics are the only Premier League side to have played at least five times at Arsenal but never taken a point there (W0 D0 L6).</p> <p>Arsene Wenger’s men have won their last five league games at home, and have lost only one of their last 15 (W12 D2).</p> <p>Arsenal have not won six in a row at home in the league since the start of October 2009.</p> <p>Wigan have only lost one of their last four league matches on the road (W2 D1): 1-2 atChelsea.</p> <p>To date,&nbsp;Manchester United&nbsp;are the only side against whom&nbsp;Robin van Persie&nbsp;has scored in two different league matches this season.</p> <p>All but three of Arsenal’s 35 league goals at home this season have come from open play (two direct free kicks and one goal from a corner).</p> <p>Robin van Persie has scored or assisted 59 goals in his last 50 Premier League appearances.</p></blockquote>

No comments:

Post a Comment