Lawro Predicts - Latics v Arsenal

Mark Lawrenson has done his weekly round of predictions for the BBC, this Saturday sees the Latics entertain Arsenal at the DW Stadium and Lawro is plumping for an away win, let's take a look at his reasoning:

Wigan v Arsenal

It was interesting the way Arsenal lined up in Monday's win over Reading - they were very attacking with Theo Walcott playing through the middle.

I am not sure they will do the same again at the DW Stadium, though, because Wigan play with a back three, so the Gunners might approach things a little bit differently.

Much has been written and said about Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger in recent weeks but you know they are always going to come back strongly and it has been a good week for them already.

They followed that win at the Madejski Stadium by signing up Jack Wilshere and four other British players on long-term contracts, and their confidence will be pretty high at the moment.

So I cannot really see beyond an Arsenal win, despite the fact their recent record against Wigan has not been that great.

I agree with Latics boss Roberto Martinez when he says this is the best team he has had in more than three years as their manager but they have only won one of their last seven games and they are starting to look like they do most years - as if they are on the slide.

That is what Wigan do, though. Last year everyone thought 'that's it, they are going to get relegated' but they turned it all around in the last three months of the season.

I'd be loathe to write them off again at this stage and their results will improve, but I just don't think it will happen against Arsenal.

Prediction: 0-2

It'll be a tough game, especially with all our injuries, but I have got some hope of an early Christmas present and some faith in that I believe in the team, I don't think we will win, but I can see us getting a draw, 1-1 for me

To see all Lawro's weekend predictions visit www.bbc.co.uk/lawros-punts


This weeks PWU podcast is now available for download, in the studio are Barry, Dan, Greg, Rob, Paul and Gareth. This week there is some confusion over the missing fans? Talk centres on Norwich, Arsenal (5:40) and Everton (19:40).

There is whisky flowing and mince pies being scoffed, there is also a special surprise at the end, the surprise is that it didn`t make the editors cut, but all will be revealed in the next edition which is a Christmas Special...ooooh

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