Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal 2008: Preview and Live Score

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Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal: Live Score and Live Updates

Arsenal is going to face Wigan Athletic away on the weekend in their next round of fixtures in premier league. Having projected an enthralling performance at San Siro which saw off holders AC Milan from Champions League this season, Arsenal must travel to JJB Stadium with sheer confidence in them. Wigan Athletic will have home advantage in the match. The match will be held on 9 March 2008. Considering Wigan’s home form of late, it seems that fans of both sides are going to experience an interesting match.

Arsenal’s spirited form at Milan would definitely boost up their confidence when they travel to Wigan on the weekend. With this victory, Arsenal came out of their four winless matches and is heading towards the possible doubles this season. Arsenal is still a point clear at the top of Premier League. With no match for Manchester United on the weekend, it is a good chance for Arsenal to take a lead of four points at the top with a win at Wigan Athletic.

Wigan also has projected some inspirational performances recently with a goal less draw against Manchester City. They are currently sit 14^th in the league table with only two points above the relegation zone. So, standing 14^th in the table can not make them feel relaxed when all the bottom clubs are determined to come up and avoid relegation. So, Wigan would definitely take the match seriously and even a point from the match would be satisfactory for the Steve Bruce men.

If you look back to their recent form, you may not track the best picture of their present form. Arsenal won only two of their last six matches with three draws and a defeat. However, the way Arsenal knocked AC Milan out of Champions League, it is simply outstanding and that form can not be recognized in their previous five matches. Arsenal’s two back to back draw against Birmingham City and Aston Villa saw them come just a point closure of Manchester United. However, given their Milan success in evidence, I have to say that Arsenal’s performance was much better than what they showed in last week.

Wigan is also in much better form than what their recent match results shows. They projected two draws, three defeats and a draw in their last six matches in all competition. However, their last week performance against Manchester City was much more inspiring. Wigan Athletic does not have any injury news ahead of the match. Rather, Ryan Taylor will be back in the final team contention after recovering from foot injury. Wigan manager Bruce admitted that Arsenal’s performance at San Siro was best ever he had seen from a British abroad. However, he is hopeful that he will pick a point from the match.

Goal.com reported:

Wigan boss Steve Bruce, asked whether he would settle for a draw, replied: "We would take that now I am sure, especially after the performance that they produced at AC Milan in midweek.
"I was sitting watching and thinking it's as a good a performance as I have seen from a British team abroad.
"But that is the beauty of being in the Premier League - you get your moments against them."

Arsene Wenger would definitely be happy to see his players repeat the Milan success at Wigan. He said that going from Milan to Wigan and winning game were something a champion team must cope up with. He admitted that it would be big taste for his side at Wigan.

Soccernet reported:

Wenger said: 'To be champions in England you have to go from Milan to Wigan and win the game and I like that because it is a completely different type of game. You have to find a response to what you face.

'It will be a big test because they (Wigan) are playing not to go down. They are under pressure like we are at the top. They are under pressure not to go down and I have heard that the pitch is not the Emirates.'

Wigan will have an advantage when it comes to the ground of JJB Stadium. The characteristic of the stadium does not suit to Arsenal’s ground football and frequent pass. However, Wigan Athletic may not have that much problem as they are used to playing on the ground.

Sky Sports reported:

We all know Arsenal love to get the ball down and pass it around, but that dump of a pitch at the JJB Stadium is going to be a big factor in the game. If it was to be played on a pristine pitch I would be tipping Arsenal to win by two or three clear goals, but the surface will be a big leveller.

Wigan are used to playing on it and they've got some good results at home in recent games - they've won four of the last six there.

Arsenal will miss their injury striker Theo Walcott as he has been out with thigh injury. Abou Diaby has not recovered from his calf problem while Tomas Rosicky is still recovering from his injury. Emmanuel Eboue will miss the match as he is under suspension. So, Wenger will miss some of the key players of the squad for the match against Wigan Athletic.

Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal Premier League: Online Live Score

Those who will not be able to watch the match on their television can get the online li9ve score and updates of the match from different online live score sites. Here, I am giving some links of online live score sites:

Live Score

Goalzz

Footie Scorez

Sportpress

Goal.com

Arsenal must seek for three points from the match as they will know that three more points would give them four points lead at the top of premier league. Wigan, in contrast, would try their best to win at least a point from the match in order to remain out of relegation zone. Considering Wigna’s advantage on the ground, Arsenal will definitely face a strong challenge from Wigan Athletic. Whatever it is, fans will hope to see a mind blowing match.