Another season has brought another relegation battle for Wigan Athletic. The club is synonymous with fighting for survival, as they have been doing for every season since they entered the English Premier League. The good news is that they have been successful on each occasion, so there is no reason to think this season will be any different. Wigan find themselves in 18th place, level on points with Sunderland but behind on goal difference. Yet they have a game in hand, and even a point from that game would move them out of the relegation places. Here is a look at Wigan’s run in and a preview of their pivotal clash at the Emirates against Arsenal.
Wigan’s next three games are against Manchester City, at West Ham, and at home to Tottenham. After that, they face West Brom, Swansea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. Out of these games, Wigan will be hoping to pick up points against West Ham, West Brom, and Swansea. If they can get seven points out of those three games, they will put themselves in a great position to avoid relegation. It would also set them up nicely for their last two games of the season, away to Arsenal and at home against fellow relegation candidates Aston Villa.
The game against Arsenal is normally one that Wigan would chalk up as a definite loss. However, circumstances mean that they need to get a result at the Emirates. A draw would be decent, but a win would almost certainly give Wigan enough points to avoid the drop. Wigan do not have a strong record away from home, especially against the big boys, but it is likely that Arsenal will have sown up fourth spot by then. In that case, they will have little to play for, giving Wigan the perfect opportunity to grab a surprise win. There is precedence for such situations, as West Ham avoided relegation in 06/07 by winning at Old Trafford, after Manchester United had already been crowned champions. Even though there are still many tickets available for the clash between Arsenal and Wigan you do not want miss out on this game, especially as the season is winding down to its exciting climax.
Arsenal vs. Wigan Tactical Battle
Arsenal will play their 4-3-3 formation while Roberto Martinez should stick to his guns and continue with a 3-4-3 formation. If the team needs to be slightly more defensive that formation can morph into a 5-3-2. The key battles will take place in the centre of midfield and up front. If Wigan can keep the likes of Podolski, Walcott, and Giroud from scoring, they have a serious chance of nicking one at the other end.
Shaun Maloney could be crucial in this game as his ability to drift between the lines is known to cause problems for teams. Arsenal’s midfield has plenty of creative talent, but neither Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, or Arteta are reliable defensively. If Maloney can find space in front of the defence, he could be extremely dangerous.
The defence will have to stand firm against what will be an Arsenal onslaught. The home side are skilled in possession, with their quick movement the undoing of many teams. A five man defence might help Wigan, especially as they look to close the gaps in behind.
While it is difficult to predict anything other than an Arsenal win from this game, crazier things have happened in football. Wigan’s players will have to give the performance of their lives to get three points at the Emirates. Get the tickets for Arsenal v Wigan to get your chance to support the Latics in person. The team needs all the support they can get if they are to pull off another miracle survival bid.
