Latics v Arsenal Preview

I never thought we'd find ourselves in the bottom three at any point this season, but that is where we are as we enter the hectic Christmas schedule

Arsenal at home isn't the ideal game you'd pick to get the season up and running again, but that is what we've got, the Latics really do need to deliver an early Christmas present today, decimated by injuries to key players though it will be very tough

Arsenal have come in for a lot of criticism of late, they are in the last 16 of the Champions League and 5th in the Premier League, hmm some people need a reality check.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'You look at this Arsenal side, they've had to cope with many players moving away and new players coming in. They need a little bit of time but I went to see them on Monday and they were very impressive.

'I thought the movement and the quality of play they had in possession was as good as I've seen from an Arsenal side. Players like Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, they're starting to feel themselves in this league.

'This Arsenal side will never change the way they want to win football games, the football philosophy that they've got, and that's admirable.

'You're going to see this Arsenal side going from strength to strength. They're still in the Champions League, which is the best competition in the world, and I think this team has got a lot to offer.'

'I predict an open and exciting game this weekend, and from our point-of-view a game we feel we're in real need of taking three points from.'

>Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:

'I believe he (Martinez) has a positive idea of the game and wants to play football. He controls the situation well'

'He finds something every year when everybody writes them off and finds the resources to get the results that nobody expected."'

Adrian Lopez and James McCarthy joined the long list of injured players last weekend

Team selection today will be very interesting

Latics possible - Al Habsi, Boyce, Figueroa, Jones, McArthur, Gomez, Stam, Beausejour, Maloney, Di Santo, Kone

There could be a lot depending on how McArthur plays today, especially with the other Jimmy Mac missing


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Abou Diaby and Andre Santos are both out injured

Arsenal from - Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carzola, Giroud, Podolski, Ramsey, Koscielny, Gervinho

Walcott always seems to do well against us

Latics and Arsenal have met 18 times

Latics 3 wins, Arsenal 13, draws 2

Last Six Meetings

16 Apr 2012 - Premier League - Arsenal 1 Latics 2
03 Dec 2011 - Premier League - Latics 0 Arsenal 4
22 Jan 2011 - Premier League - Arsenal 3 Latics 0
29 Dec 2010 - Premier League - Latics 2 Arsenal 2
30 Nov 2010 - Carling Cup - Arsenal 2 Latics 0
18 Apr 2010 - Premier League - Latics 3 Arsenal 2

Jon Moss (Bradford)

Why not take a look at our 'Meet The Ref' article

Jon Moss Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 13, yellows - 32, reds - 1

Head say's Arsenal win, just too many injured players in key positions

Heart say's Latics win, last home game of the year, we need the points badly, 2-0 home win...

Premier League

Everton v Latics
Goodison Park
Wednesday
26/12/12
3pm

Aston Villa v Latics
Villa Park
Saturday
29/12/12
3pm


Why not take a listen to this weeks podcastIn 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

You can download the podcast from itunes, or via our hosting site www.buzzsprout.com, or listen by clicking play on the embedded player below

Feedback as always welcome or if you want to get involved in future episodes please email wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco