Lawro Predicts - Arsenal v Latics

Mark 'Lawro' Lawrenson has done his weekly round of Premier League predictions for the BBC, the Match of the Day pundit is forecasting that Monday nights clash between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium will end in a home win, let's take a look at his reasons:

Arsenal v Wigan (2000 BST)

What a time for Wigan to start playing well, and to claim their first win over Manchester United in the Premier League as well.

Arsenal swept aside Wolves in their last game and are on a great run themselves. You have to ask what happened to all those Gunners fans who wanted to get rid of Arsene Wenger in October and November?

It would be interesting to hear their thoughts now because the Gunners look nailed on for third place now. Their front three of Robin van Persie, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott is firing on all cylinders, Tomas Rosicky looks like a player reborn and Mikel Arteta and Alex Song are both playing very well.

They were a good side even when they were playing badly but their defence is obviously playing a big part in their run too now it is back to full strength - they were always going to struggle without their regular full-backs for half the season.

Wigan have picked up points when they were expected to be beaten and that means they can go to the Emirates and have a go at the Gunners. They are trying this 3-4-3 formation, which you can tell is working by looking at their results.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez is generally a brave manager and I would expect him to go for Arsenal the same way as he did against Liverpool, Stoke, Chelsea and United.

After his side lost at the DW Stadium on Wednesday, Sir Alex Ferguson said Wigan should be higher up the table that they are. If you look at them and you look at the quality of their individuals then you say yes, that's true.

But it is the collective that counts and that is often Wigan's problem. I always think their players are well aware they can sell themselves and get moves to bigger clubs by playing for the Latics in the Premier League, which doesn't necessarily lead to great team spirit.

At one stage, a month or two ago, I thought the Latics were down but they have come back and done fantastically well. They have a great chance of staying up now.

Prediction: 2-0

Lawro, you are rubbish! 'Trying this 3-4-3 formation', what are you on about, for a former football man you don't half spout some poop, my prediction is that Latics will get a point, 1-1

To see all Lawros weekend predictions visit www.bbc.co.uk/lawros-punts but don't expect him to get many correct

















Latics and Proud



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