This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6164251.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Wigan 0-1 Arsenal | Wigan 0-1 Arsenal |
(40 minutes later) | |
Arsenal claimed third place in the table after narrowly beating Wigan. | Arsenal claimed third place in the table after narrowly beating Wigan. |
The visitors were frequently troubled by Henri Camara, whose superb pass released Emile Heskey, who badly missed with his shot early in the second half. | The visitors were frequently troubled by Henri Camara, whose superb pass released Emile Heskey, who badly missed with his shot early in the second half. |
That sparked an Arsenal reaction, with Julio Baptista's shot saved by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, while Emmanuel Adebayor went close several times. | That sparked an Arsenal reaction, with Julio Baptista's shot saved by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, while Emmanuel Adebayor went close several times. |
And with three minutes left, substitute Cesc Fabregas' pass released Adebayor, who poked the ball past Kirkland. | And with three minutes left, substitute Cesc Fabregas' pass released Adebayor, who poked the ball past Kirkland. |
Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger | |
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opted to leave Fabregas, along with Alexander Hleb and Robin van Persie on the bench, three players who had played so well in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. | Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opted to leave Fabregas, along with Alexander Hleb and Robin van Persie on the bench, three players who had played so well in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. |
606: DEBATE Fabregas can change a game in the blink of an eye WA 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE Fabregas can change a game in the blink of an eye WA 606: Have your say |
The absence of Fabregas was particularly felt with Arsenal's attacking movements lacking imagination in the first half, a period of play where Wigan were on top. | The absence of Fabregas was particularly felt with Arsenal's attacking movements lacking imagination in the first half, a period of play where Wigan were on top. |
The last time Paul Jewell's side played at home they were losing 4-0 at half-time to Liverpool, but this time the Latics were altogether more cohesive in attack and defence. | The last time Paul Jewell's side played at home they were losing 4-0 at half-time to Liverpool, but this time the Latics were altogether more cohesive in attack and defence. |
Wigan's best player was Camara, who gave Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy all sorts of problems with his speed and footwork from the moment he delivered an early cross for Heskey. | Wigan's best player was Camara, who gave Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy all sorts of problems with his speed and footwork from the moment he delivered an early cross for Heskey. |
Camara had Wigan's best first-half chance, but under pressure from Johan Djourou the Senegal international's shot went wide. | Camara had Wigan's best first-half chance, but under pressure from Johan Djourou the Senegal international's shot went wide. |
The second half was an altogether more absorbing affair. | The second half was an altogether more absorbing affair. |
Camara played a wonderful reverse pass to leave Heskey with just Jens Lehmann to beat, but the Wigan striker embarrassingly miscued. | Camara played a wonderful reverse pass to leave Heskey with just Jens Lehmann to beat, but the Wigan striker embarrassingly miscued. |
That prompted Arsenal to retaliate, Adebayor releasing Baptista, whose shot was well saved by Kirkland. | That prompted Arsenal to retaliate, Adebayor releasing Baptista, whose shot was well saved by Kirkland. |
The Wigan goalkeeper saved his side for a second time when he came out quickly to deny Adebayor, who had been sent clear by Gilberto. | The Wigan goalkeeper saved his side for a second time when he came out quickly to deny Adebayor, who had been sent clear by Gilberto. |
Soon afterwards Theo Walcott overhit his cross and Adebayor was unable to connect with the ball as Arsenal carved apart Wigan for a third time. | Soon afterwards Theo Walcott overhit his cross and Adebayor was unable to connect with the ball as Arsenal carved apart Wigan for a third time. |
Wenger introduced Van Persie and Fabregas to try and press home Arsenal's advantage, but as those two players adjusted to the game's rhythm, Wigan came close to taking the lead. | Wenger introduced Van Persie and Fabregas to try and press home Arsenal's advantage, but as those two players adjusted to the game's rhythm, Wigan came close to taking the lead. |
Josip Skoko's shot was only partially saved by Lehmann, requiring Kolo Toure to throw himself at the ball to block Camara's close-range effort from the rebound. | Josip Skoko's shot was only partially saved by Lehmann, requiring Kolo Toure to throw himself at the ball to block Camara's close-range effort from the rebound. |
With the game seemingly heading for a draw Fabregas sent a curving pass over the Wigan defence to the feet of Adebayor and the Togo striker made no mistake slipping past Kirkland. | With the game seemingly heading for a draw Fabregas sent a curving pass over the Wigan defence to the feet of Adebayor and the Togo striker made no mistake slipping past Kirkland. |
"People will say it was a great pass for the goal, but we lost concentration and switched off for a second. | "People will say it was a great pass for the goal, but we lost concentration and switched off for a second. |
"We paid the price, losing the game - which I didn't think we deserved." | "We paid the price, losing the game - which I didn't think we deserved." |
"We created chances but they had one or two and we needed to be strong to claim the three points. | "We created chances but they had one or two and we needed to be strong to claim the three points. |
"Sometimes when you play every three days you have problems getting into the game but it gets better." | "Sometimes when you play every three days you have problems getting into the game but it gets better." |
Wigan: Kirkland, Wright, Boyce, Hall, Baines, McCulloch, Landzaat, Skoko, Kilbane, Camara, Heskey (Johansson 67).Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Jackson, Cotterill, Todorov. | Wigan: Kirkland, Wright, Boyce, Hall, Baines, McCulloch, Landzaat, Skoko, Kilbane, Camara, Heskey (Johansson 67).Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Jackson, Cotterill, Todorov. |
Booked: Wright. | Booked: Wright. |
Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Toure, Clichy, Walcott (Hoyte 89), Flamini (Fabregas 74), Julio Baptista (Van Persie 75), Silva, Ljungberg, Adebayor.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Hleb. | Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Toure, Clichy, Walcott (Hoyte 89), Flamini (Fabregas 74), Julio Baptista (Van Persie 75), Silva, Ljungberg, Adebayor.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Hleb. |
Goals: Adebayor 88. | Goals: Adebayor 88. |
Att: 15,311 | Att: 15,311 |
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire). | Ref: R Styles (Hampshire). |