Arsenal resumed where they had left off with a 2-0 victory over
Wigan at the Emirates Stadium to extend their lead at the top of
the Barclays Premier League.
Empics
Paul Scharner slides in to foul Tomas Rosicky.
For large spells, though, the Gunners - now unbeaten for 28
consecutive matches - had been frustrated by a determined Wigan
side, who will have new manager Steve Bruce in charge from
Monday.
Eventually, though, Arsenal made the breakthrough when, with just
seven minutes left, captain William Gallas headed in at the near
post.
Czech winger Tomas Rosicky made sure of the result with a
well-taken goal two minutes later, which capitalised on Manchester
United's defeat at Bolton.
However, victory came at a cost as Theo Walcott was carried off on
a stretcher after a hefty challenge from Wigan's England striker,
Emile Heskey.
With Cesc Fabregas suspended, Mathieu Flamini injured and Gilberto
fatigued following international duty in South America, manager
Arsene Wenger was forced into changes.
Brazilian youngster Denilson and Lassana Diarra came into central
midfield, while England Under-21 star Walcott was handed a rare
start ahead of Croatia striker Eduardo, who helped end England's
Euro 2008 dreams at Wembley on Wednesday night.
It was a bright start by the home side, with Walcott involved in
the early sorties deep into Wigan territory.
However, in the fifth minute the Latics - who had lost seven
straight in the league - thought they had snatched a shock lead
when Marcus Bent was put clear and beat Manuel Almunia, only to be
called back by the offside flag.
Walcott was looking lively and went down in the left channel from
Rosicky's pass, but his cutback across the six-yard box was hacked
clear.
Wigan, though, had another chance when Paul Scharner sent a free
header wide from a left-wing corner.
Arsenal were unable to find their normal passing rhythm as Wigan
were quick to close the hosts down.
After 21 minutes, though, the Gunners cut the visitors open with a
fine exchange of passes on the edge of the box.
Full-back Sagna fed Emmanuel Adebayor, who turned his marker and
played a neat one-two with Walcott.
The African then drilled in a low shot from the penalty spot, which
Mike Pollitt kept out with a fine reaction save.
Walcott was at the centre of Arsenal's attacks - and a dash down
the right to cut the ball back from the goal-line deserved better
than Emmanuel Eboue to miss his kick completely inside the six-yard
box at the near post.
There was a warning for Arsenal, though, when Bent put a header
over following a deep cross from Emerson Boyce.
With 10 minutes to go to the break, a desperate block from Salomon
Olembe denied Walcott - in the Wigan six-yard box again.
Bruce, watching from the directors' box, would have been impressed
with his new side's resilience and hoping for more of the same over
the second 45 minutes.
Arsenal again faced a wall of blue across midfield as they looked
to get their passing game going again.
Slowly they started to mount a sustained period of pressure, if
without being able to find a telling pass with which to unlock the
Wigan defence.
The home fans were starting to show their frustrations as promising
attacks came to nothing with almost an hour played.
When a flowing move did release Adebayor into the box, Boyce made a
fine saving tackle.
Then suddenly at the other end, a mix-up between Gallas and Kolo
Toure gifted the ball to Bent just outside the Arsenal area.
However, the Wigan striker was not able to make the most of his
unexpected chance and drilled a low shot wide.
Pollitt again showed good reactions to beat away the ball at his
near post following a deflected free-kick from Denilson.
With 23 minutes left Wigan sent on Heskey to replace Olembe, while
Arsenal also made a change as Eduardo came on for Eboue and Walcott
moved out wide.
Tempers flared when Bent went through to back of Denilson in the
centre circle, and after calm was resorted, referee Peter Walton
consulted his assistant and showed the Wigan striker only a yellow
card.
Gallas and Heskey were then also both shown yellow cards following
a needless altercation, before a reckless sliding challenge from
the Wigan striker left Walcott in a heap on the far side and he was
carried off, replaced by Nicklas Bendtner.
Arsenal finally got themselves in front with just seven minutes
left. Sagna's first-time cross to the near post saw Gallas arrive
ahead of marker Titus Bramble to nod the ball past Pollitt.
The result was assured when Rosicky was fed on the overlap by
Bendtner and he made no mistake from the edge of the box, netting
off the inside of the far post.
