Arsenal 4-0 Latics

The Latics went to the Emirates stadium with high hopes of getting something out of the game and boss Roberto Martinez named the same side that had beaten West Ham the previous week, more of the same is what was asked for.

What was asked for and what was gotten were two totally different things, a quick look at the possession percentages tells the story, Arsenal had 72% to the Latics 28% and that`s where it ended.

Martinez is a great believer in if you have most of the ball you are more likely to score than the opposition and that proved correct but not in the way he anticipated

Arsenal are a team that the Latics are trying to emulate with keep ball and good passing but this game saw all the good work of the West Ham game undone in dramatic fashion and to be honest Latics were 2nd best all afternoon, chasing shadows and at times looking a yard off the pace.

Arsenal took the lead that they had been threatening from the start in the 25th minute when from an in-swinging corner Vermaelen got his head to the ball under pressure from Boyce and Bramble and crashed his header passed a stranded Kirkland into the back of the net.

Latics could have equalised shortly before half time when Arsenal managed to clear a Bramble header of the line from a corner but that was the only Wigan chance of note.

The 2nd half started in the same vein as the 1st with Arsenal having all the possession and opportunities and they increased their lead on 49 minutes when Vermaelen got his 2nd of the game.

The Arsenal centre half was left to run unchallenged to the edge of the Latics box and he received the ball and stroked a delightful shot past Kirkland, Eduardo got the 3rd Arsenal goal on 59 minutes with the Latics defence all over the place and a good thumping looked on the cards

It was a surprise that only one more goal came and that was in the final minute when Fabregas met a cross at the near post to round off a totally depressing afternoon for Roberto`s men.

Nothing to take from the game except to make sure that the players have some fire in their bellies for next weeks home game against Chelsea, another performance like that simply wont do.

Player Ratings

Chris Kirkland – 6
Kirkland doesnt look it to me and again his reactions werent their usual sharpness

Mario Melchiot – 6
Melchiot struggled to get into the game and was left marking thin air on a few occassions

Emerson Boyce – 7
Defended stoutly throughout the game

Titus Bramble – 8
Just shaded my man of the match from Boycie, gave his all again, he must be getting frustrated

Maynor Figueroa – 4
Figgy’s worst game since joining us by far, his passing was off, tackling poor, none existent marking, we need him back to his best

Charles N’Zogbia – 6
Little Charlie is wasted on the right side, he is much better and looks more comfortable playing down the left

Momo Diame – 6
I was hoping for more from the Diame, worked hard but was caught out a couple of times

Hendry Thomas – 6
He seemed to go missing a bit

Jason Koumas – 6
Koumas is an emigma, definitely talented but never produces, Martinez has given him the chance but he isnt exactly grasping that chance

Jordi Gomes – 3
Awful performance from Gomez, didnt track Vermaelen when he allowed the Arsenal defender to stroll through unopposed for their 2nd goal, no commitment, no energy, no pace, he looks totaly lost and out of his depth in the Premier League

Hugo Rodallega – 6
I feel it’s unfair to rate Hugo, no one passed to him

Paul Scharner – 6
At least Scharner shows a bit of commitment when he is on the field

Jason Scotland – 6
Scotland though doesnt look good enough, does have energy and looks like it matters to him


Not on long enough and should have started

Manager Rating
Roberto didnt change it when needed, he brought on fresh faces but kept the exact same system which was letting us down in the game

Fluid systems are whats needed not rigid ones so 4/10 for this game Bobby