Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Postby Rockin' Robin » Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:55 am

A hat-trick from Robin van Persie gave us a 3-0 victory over a Wigan side who barely put up a fight at the Emirates. We were frustrating at times, with the end product sometimes poor, but goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi also denied us several times - we could have had about 10 goals by half time alone.

In the end, we only went in at the break one goal to the good. Samir Nasri worked himself into the area early on, and finally got a shot away, drilling it low to Al-Habsi's right, but the Omani goalkeeper pulled off an excellent reflex save. He made an even better one from van Persie minutes later, as Walcott danced down the line, pulled it back for the currently flying Flying Dutchman, whose shot was tipped away by the stretching goalkeeper.

It looked like we'd won a penalty ten minutes later, but Kevin Friend deemed the foul on Cesc Fabregas to be just outside the area. Nasri took the free kick, but curled it low into the wall. Walcott then tried the same route as he did for van Persie's chance, pulling it back for Fabregas this time, but as Al-Habsi dived the wrong way, Steven Caldwell blocked the shot with his legs.

But a few minutes later, we were in front. Alex Song slipped in van Persie, who fired the ball swiftly past Al-Habsi, who had no chance this time. It looked offside - all three of Wigan's travelling fans appealed along with the defenders, but he was being played on by Figueroa.

Sagna then looped in a cross to the back post for Nasri, who touched it down to Fabregas. He scissored a volley at goal, which was pummelled away by the goalkeeper to Sagna. He found Fabregas, who twisted, turned and nutmegged Gary Caldwell, before his brother Steven got back to stop our skipper from shooting, and probably scoring. He showed his frustration by booting the ball high into the crowd.

Then van Persie sent Theo clear, but instead of shooting one-on-one, he tried to lay it back for Fabregas, but Gohouri got to the ball first, before van Persie skied the second opportunity. It was possibly the chance of the half, barring van Persie's goal. Fabregas and Nasri were then denied again by Al-Habsi, and the game reached it's half way point - Wigan somehow still in it.

We were a little less sharp in the second half at first, but then when Song won a free kick, Fabregas played a superbly weighted ball into van Persie's path. He barely had to break stride as he side-footed a powerful volley past Al-Habsi, again giving him no chance. 2-0, and surely Wigan were dead and buried now.

He was given the chance to make sure they were when Gary Caldwell brought down Fabregas, giving Arsenal a penalty and earning himself a red card too. Van Persie stepped up to grab his hat-trick ball, but instead blasted it over and buried his head in the turf. Maybe he'd have to wait a while longer for his first treble.

It seemed that way when he struck the outside of the post with a curling effort from outside the area, but Fabregas' ball to Walcott was controlled by the England winger and shielded from Gohouri, allowing van Persie to stride forwards and hammer the ball in, via Al-Habsi's arm. The hat-trick was there.

Another three goal victory - we've had quite a few in 2011; Chelsea, Birmingham, West Ham, Leeds and now Wigan. Another clean sheet too, and we haven't conceded in the league since the last calendar year. Things are looking pretty good right now. Next up - the chance to reach the Carling Cup final. Bring on Ipswich on Tuesday.
User avatar
Rockin' Robin
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp
 
Posts: 6450
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:23 am
Location: Hampshire, England

Re: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Postby singaporegooner » Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:57 am

Great stuff...
Bring on Ipswich!!
We'll rip them a new one!
In Arsene We Trust!!
Image
Predicitions League 08/09 Winner
User avatar
singaporegooner
David Rocastle
David Rocastle
 
Posts: 2743
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:34 am
Location: Singapore

Re: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Postby Gunner Down Under » Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:10 am

Thanks for sorting this out man, great report.
Image
User avatar
Gunner Down Under
Bertie Mee
Bertie Mee
 
Posts: 9278
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:48 am
Location: Sydney, Australia


Return to Match Reports 10/11

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests
cron