Kickoff: Wednesday, December 29, 2:45 EST, DW Stadium, Wigan
TV Coverage: Fox Soccer Plus and foxsoccer.tv (for subscribers)
TV Coverage: Fox Soccer Plus and foxsoccer.tv (for subscribers)
Aresnal travel north to Wigan to play another match two days after a huge win against Chelsea. Hopefully this won't lead to a bit of a letdown at the halfway point of the Premier League, that emotionally there won't be a letdown after exorcising their demons.
One thing that won't help a lot is the absence of Cesc Fabregas, who will miss the match due to accumulated yellow cards. Arsenal have already beaten Wigan once this year, in the Carling Cup, although that Wigan team was not full strength. The story will be different today.
Hugo Rodellega has been playing well lately, and Arsenal will look to have another Chelsea-like performance both at the back and all over the field, pressing the Latics into submission and dominating possession. Roberto Martinez likes his teams to play a possession game, but if Arsenal play as well without the ball as they did on Monday, they should be able to contain any Wigan passing threat.
Possible lineup, given that some rotation might be needed:
Fabianski
Sagna Squillaci Koscielny Clichy
Song Denilson
Rosicky
Nasri Chamakh Arshavin
Eboué, Bendtner, van Persie, Wilshere, and Walcott, of course, could all feature, given rest requirements.