Dec 21, 2012 02:57 AM EST
Wigan vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Injuries, Predictions and Expected Lineups

The game against Reading showed just what Arsenal are capable of when they gel together as an attacking force.

All six of Arsenal's players, including the supposed defensive midfieder Mikel Arteta, were excellent going forward against a side, which must be said, were extremely poor defensively.

However, despite some shambolic defending, all the Arsenal goals were created by the team itself and not off any particular mistake from the opponents - that is an encouraging sign.

Another positive aspect was the fact that every single of the five goals came from open play, with Santi Cazorla helping himself to a hat-trick and Theo Walcott enjoying himself playing as a central striker.

Having said that, Arsenal have found consistency to be their biggest bane this season. A couple of steps forward is soon followed by one step back, and in the English Premier League game against Wigan on Saturday, the Gunners must show they are for real.

The last game played between the two sides, saw Wigan come off with a vital 2-1 victory at the Emirates, which went a long way in keeping them in the top tier of the English game and staving off relegation.

However, Arsenal coasted to a 4-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season at the DW Stadium, and if the Gunners are to stay within touching distance of the top four, another attacking performance of the highest order must be forthcoming.

Wigan are struggling in the bottom three and are desperate for a win. In Roberto Martinez they have an astute manager capable of bringing down the biggest of teams, as he amply showed last year.

However, if Arsenal concentrate on the right things and play the ball quickly through midfield, with Jack Wilshere and Cazorla allowed to control the game, there should be only one result, and a climb up into fourth place.

It is easier said than done though. Wigan will prove a much tougher nut to crack than Reading, and the Gunners will need to be firing on all cylinders to leave from the DW Stadium with all three points.

Walcott, with his performance against Reading, has earned himself another chance to play down the middle, and Wenger will be tempted to go with the same starting lineup.

The Arsenal manager admitted there were no new injury concerns, meaning other than Andre Santos and Abou Diaby, Wenger will have a full squad to choose from.

Wigan will be without Adrian Lopez, while James McCarthy remains a doubt. Antolin Alcaraz, Ivan Ramis and Gary Caldwell, though could return.

Expected lineups: Wigan: Al Habsi; Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa; Beausejour, McCarthy, McArthur, Stam; Kone, Gomez, Boselli.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna; Arteta, Wilshere; Cazorla, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Walcott.

Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal

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