Wigan vs. Arsenal [R] Pre/dur/Post Match Comments

[Catfish]

Wednesday, December 13
7:45PM GMT

2:45PM EST Setanta Sports (LIVE)

Wigan are mid table at 11th and Arsenal are coming off a huge match vs. "that" West London side. My fear is that traveling and taking Wigan Athletic lightly might be a potential issue.

My prediction: 2-0 to The Arsenal. I think Wigan will give us a few scares with some runs and shots with potential, but I think with year 2 in the Prem; they are clearly not the side of last season. Arsenal will handle the business and get all 3 pts.

GO ON LADS, SILENCE THE JJB FAITHFUL!!!

UP THE ARSENAL!

[generals soccer]

For some reason I just have a 3-1 feeling. Any news on who is back. I know Toure served his suspension. When are Gallas and Rosicky going to be ready?

[Rick B]

This is the part of the year I hate. Six away games in 25 days, 3 of which are in the North West in the evening. Always happens to Arsenal for some reason. We lost the first one against Bolton and have two more to go. Wednesday against Wigan and next Tuesday against Liverpool. I hate travelling up there in the dark and cold. Judy on the other hand lives under an hour away from the lot of them!!

Im going for a 2-1 Catfish special on this game. I think we'll win but it won't be as easy as some would think. These games are just not the ones we win easily. We are Arsenal so we have to make it hard. Adeybayor with both goals as he deserves them from his play over the past few games. Flamini deserves to start after the past 3 games. Gilberto has proven he is a great choice for Captain whilst Henry isn't there. Djourou deserves to keep his starting place ahead of Senderos alongside Toure whilst Gallas is out.

Lehmann
Eboue - Djourou - Toure - Clichy

Hleb - Gilberto - Cesc - Flamini - Van Persie

Adeybayor

[surfcam]

I'm with you here Rick and see a 2-1 hard fought win. These are the matches the Arsenal have struggled with lately, especially after a big derby showdown. If the boys can show half the hustle and grit exhibited on Sunday then I think the Gunners will take all 3 points.

[Catfish]

If the boys can show half the hustle and grit exhibited on Sunday then I think the Gunners will take all 3 points.
Well put.

[mpeabody]

Lehmann
Eboue - Djourou - Toure - Clichy

Hleb - Gilberto - Cesc - Flamini - Van Persie

Adeybayor

I completely agree with this lineup. Everyone out there has earned a spot.

Apparently Flamini is a goal scoring machine. I have to admit I didn't see that one coming.

2-0 (Flamini and Hleb)

[KC_Gooner]

This is the part of the year I hate. Six away games in 25 days, 3 of which are in the North West in the evening. Always happens to Arsenal for some reason. We lost the first one against Bolton and have two more to go. Wednesday against Wigan and next Tuesday against Liverpool. I hate travelling up there in the dark and cold. Judy on the other hand lives under an hour away from the lot of them!!

Im going for a 2-1 Catfish special on this game. I think we'll win but it won't be as easy as some would think. These games are just not the ones we win easily. We are Arsenal so we have to make it hard. Adeybayor with both goals as he deserves them from his play over the past few games. Flamini deserves to start after the past 3 games. Gilberto has proven he is a great choice for Captain whilst Henry isn't there. Djourou deserves to keep his starting place ahead of Senderos alongside Toure whilst Gallas is out.

Lehmann
Eboue - Djourou - Toure - Clichy

Hleb - Gilberto - Cesc - Flamini - Van Persie

Adeybayor

Henry still out? Does anyone know expected date of his return to the line-up?

[mpeabody]

Henry still out? Does anyone know expected date of his return to the line-up?

Arsenal won't give a date, but I've heard it's not going to be until the new year.

http://www.arsenal.com/injury.asp?thisNav=First+Team&Title=Injury+News

[KC_Gooner]

Arsenal won't give a date, but I've heard it's not going to be until the new year.

http://www.arsenal.com/injury.asp?thisNav=First+Team&Title=Injury+News

Ah, i see. Love this;

"First you have to wait till he has no pain anymore and then you have to prepare. In this job you need your body."

Very poingnant, me thinks...

[batch]

Will Henry be back ?

Without him against us i reckon we could keep it to a defeat by a single goal. With him playing aginst us i'd probably be thinking 3 or4.

[shincan]

I wonder if Baptista will get any time (ever). I haven't seen much of him, of course, but I have yet to be impressed. He seems kinda slow. However, if we need someone to hold the ball and show some muscle....

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

While I like that lineup, I wouldn't be surprised to see some squad rotation as we get into the holiday programme. Maybe Freddie starts in this one? I'm thinking it will be a messy game requiring some grit and smarts. Something Freddie, and maybe Baptista?, could bring against Jewell's Wigan.

[zonametro]

Unfortunatly a 1-1 draw might happen with Wigan scoring first:(

That being said hopefully we can pull this one out and get rolling!

[akofman12345]

i hate premire league games during school. I wish i had Setanta on my phone or something :rolleyes: . i think this will be a good game. Arsenal shouldn't take this game lightly, and i hope Wenger is fully aware that this isn't an easy game by any means. That being said, if Newcastle can beat Chelsea the same day, i will be so happy. The announcer during the game on sunday was talking about the Newcastle game as if it is an easy 3 points, and Jose said something like that also. i hope Newcastle get frickin' pissed and just beat an unsuspecting Chelsea, i see this happening.

[RealMadGunner]

Hopefully the Beast gets some time .. Though his first touch is still not upto the Arsenal standard .. Wigan 1 - 2 Arsenal .. We just should not take any other games lightly .. When we played Chel$hit, Manure or the Spuds, we showed determination to win the match, which was missing in a few other games .. [which again brings up the topic: Who captianed these sides that beat ManUre, Spuds and drew Chelsea ? But i'll put it to rest for now]

[marakana10]

i hate premire league games during school. I wish i had Setanta on my phone or something :rolleyes: . i think this will be a good game. Arsenal shouldn't take this game lightly, and i hope Wenger is fully aware that this isn't an easy game by any means. That being said, if Newcastle can beat Chelsea the same day, i will be so happy. The announcer during the game on sunday was talking about the Newcastle game as if it is an easy 3 points, and Jose said something like that also. i hope Newcastle get frickin' pissed and just beat an unsuspecting Chelsea, i see this happening.

Plus Newcastle are on their best run of form this year. 9 matches undefeated in all competitions and Obafemi Martins just came back and has scored 3 goals in 2 matches. I don't think the Chelsea Newcastle game will be an easy three points for the Blues. I'm betting on a 1-1 draw to be honest. Plus what about Newcastle's Uefa Cup run??? Jesus.

[RealMadGunner]

Kirkland boost for Latics (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/wiganathletic/s/230/230579_kirkland_boost_for_latics.html)

WIGAN'S England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is in line to play against Arsenal following an injury scare at Middlesbrough where he was taken to hospital after an accidental collision with team-mate David Wright.

Manager Paul Jewell said: "Kirky is OK. That's a big relief and we will see how he is.

"It was a difficult halftime against Middlesbrough because Chris went into shock.

"The oxygen was on him and paramedics put him in a neck brace. Our main concern during the half-time interval was making sure Chris was OK."

Arsenal have failed to sell their full allocation of tickets but Wigan bosses are still hopeful of a 17,000 crowd.

[3thbi]

For some reason I just have a 3-1 feeling. Any news on who is back. I know Toure served his suspension. When are Gallas and Rosicky going to be ready?

Don't worry about Rosicky.
He should be available for the next game.
If not this game than hopefully the one after.
As far as Gallas goes, I haven't read anything
new about him.

[shincan]

Don't worry about Rosicky.
He should be available for the next game.
If not this game than hopefully the one after.
As far as Gallas goes, I haven't read anything
new about him.

I like Rosicky, for sure, but I'm also happy about the last few games we've played without him. Flamini deserves to start again after the hard work he put in vs. Chelsea. Maybe Hleb should sit...though his little passes have set up quite a few goals. So, I'd let Ros. come in late for someone's weary legs. As we have seen, throwing on a speedy winger or midfielder in the last 20 can make a difference.

[gunner0007]

And this is what we have Walcott for. I say partner either RVP or Ade with Baptista up front. Let one of the strikers rest. Let Walcott start on the wing with Ljungdberg on the other wing.

I like Rosicky, for sure, but I'm also happy about the last few games we've played without him. Flamini deserves to start again after the hard work he put in vs. Chelsea. Maybe Hleb should sit...though his little passes have set up quite a few goals. So, I'd let Ros. come in late for someone's weary legs. As we have seen, throwing on a speedy winger or midfielder in the last 20 can make a difference.