Wigan Preview: Arsenal are Good Value to Beat Wigan

Arsenal played out a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Fulham last weekend off the back of their 2-1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund. Arsene Wenger’s side surely won’t drop points in back-to-back weekends as they look to maintain their Champions League push.

Already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners, we can expect Arsene Wenger to put out a young squad for Tuesday’s night game in Greece and maintain 100% focus on their trip to Wigan.

Robin van Persie comes up against one of the Premier League’s leakiest defences this weekend. Wigan have conceded 24 goals in their 13 games so far this season; only Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers have conceded more. And although Arsenal have conceded 23, it’s worth pointing out that 8 came in one freaky game.

The Dutchman who leads the Premier League scoring charts has a favourable match up against this Wigan defence that sometimes seem scared to put a foot in and are often at sixes and sevens. Supporting him are the two pacey wide men; Theo Walcott and Gervinho. Steve Gohouri, who’s started the last 3 games for Wigan has looked a weak point and one in particular which Gervinho and RvP should be able to exploit.

Defensively, Arsenal are still a liability. Wojciech Szczesny hasn’t kept a clean sheet away from home since a 0-0 draw at Newcastle on opening day. He’s conceded several from outside the area this season which will attract the attentions of Hugo Rodallega, whom despite being one of the most wasteful strikers in the division, has the ability of firing one in from long range.

No Charles N’Zogbia to hurt Arsenal any more, Wigan are thin creatively. No team has scored fewer than Wigan’s 12 Premier League goals this season. Ben Watson takes a decent set piece, but otherwise it’s hard to see where Wigan are going to carry a threat in this match. Or in many to be honest. Victor Moses has been a big disappointment so far.

Arsenal are currently at 1.6 on Betfair to beat Wigan and 1.97 at -1 on the Asian Handicap.