Wigan Athletic take on Arsenal this Sunday at the DW Stadium in what is a very important game for both clubs for very different reasons, in the run up to the game there was a meeting of the Vitals with Vital Latics and Vital Arsenal catching up with each other over coffee and Hobnobs at Vital Towers, as always worbo from the Latics was there and was joined by Vital Arsenal`s very own Iceman10, lets see how the chat went:
worbo – Howdy Iceman10 I hope you are well, we both had disappointing results this week, our goalless draw with Pompey and your loss at Sp*rs, not what the doctor ordered, it leaves us right in the thick of the relegation fight and I suppose it damages your chances of the title quite a bit or do you think you can overcome the loss and still make a challenge?
Iceman10 – There is more chance of Arry Redknapp sitting still for 5 minutes than us winning the title now, in truth we lost it when the ball slapped Kevin Phillips in the face and flew into our net up in brum. Hopefully we can bounce back with a good performance at the DW, some may see it as bit of a damp squib for us but I think its important to bounce back and start building for next season even as early as this.
worbo – I fancied Arsenal to win the title this year but it looks like the injuries to your key players have taken their toll, do you feel a sense of what could have been especially with you missing Robin Van Persie for so long?
Iceman10 – I don’t think I can remember any team losing a world class striker for 5 months and still winning the title so it definitely cost us a few points over the course of the season. Take Rooney out of the United team for 5 months or Drogba from Chelsea and they would struggle. Its not such a problem when we face the Mid table and bottom sides but when faced with Playing Chelsea, United and Barcelona its a whole different matter……..its ok though next year he is wearing a new boot made from 95% horse placenta.
worbo – I enjoyed both the Champions League games with Barcelona I thought they were a great advert for football, lots of goals, great play from both sides and apart from Messi not too much between the two sides, it must have been quite something to be an Arsenal supporter in such great games especially the one at the Emirates
Iceman10 – We play good football but Barca were on another level, that 1st 20 minutes was the best football I`ve ever seen and I`ve watched some great sides under Arsene Wenger. The intensity at which Barca play is phenomenal with and without the ball. We showed real guts to stay in that tie and I still cant believe we were actually leading 3-2 on aggregate at one point! Footballistically speaking there is a lot English football could learn from how Barca play.
worbo – A new word there Iceman?Footballistically
There is strong rumour about two of our top performers Hugo Rodallega and Charles N`Zogbia being sold to Arsenal in the summer, now I don`t want to talk about the possibility of them joining you but they have both been outstanding for us this season and both would be strong contenders for the Latics player of the season, Zog because he has been our most creative player by far and Hugo because he has the knack of scoring important goals, he`s been a match winner with the only goal of the game on 4 occasions this season and he also opened the scoring in five other games.
Who has been the pick of the bunch for Arsenal this year and who should we be wary of on Sunday?
Iceman10 – Cesc Fabregas is everything you want from the modern day midfielder he has added goals to his repertoire, worked on his pace and also matured into a fine captain. The 1 to watch out for on Sunday is probably the infuriating Abou Diaby, He has had 3 bad games now so his 1 good is due plus I hear Wenger has ordered him to regrow his hair (He plays much better with a bit of a fro, ask most gooners!)
worbo – I have already said that I fancied Arsenal for the title but it now looks beyond you and to be honest I cant see Chelsea letting the lead slip but you never know they`ve got us last game of the season, I bet they`re quaking, having said that we`ve already done ’em once, down at the bottom end I think it will stay as you are with Burnley and Hull joining Pompey in the Championship, where do you see the honours ending up and do you think we will survive?
Iceman10 – Chelsea will do the double unless Fergie borrows Arsenes lasagne recipe. Credit to them they have come good when it matters and when you go to the home of your nearest rivals and win during the run in I don’t think many can argue they deserve the title. Down at the bottom I cant see Hull or Burnley getting out of it, Hull have been awful for virtually the whole season both themselves and Burnley lack real premiership quality where as yourselves and West Ham have players like Rodallega, N`Zogbia, Cole and Parker.
worbo – Well its prediction time, I have to be optimistic, we need the points for a more pressing reason than Arsenal do, I`d love to predict a win but I am going to meld optimism with a bit of realism and go for a 1-1 draw, how do you see it ending up?
Iceman10 – Depends which Arsenal shows up. If we are up for finishing 2nd and match your desire I would back us for a 3-1 win if we play like the season has finished you will win 1-0.
Question for you: If Rodallega and N`Zogbia are transferred to Arsenal where do you see them fitting into our 4-3-3 style of play?
worbo – We line up 4-3-3 (4-5-1) and attempt to play the Arsenal way so the system wouldn`t be a problem for them, it`s the competition, Zog has had a great season playing on the right even though he is predominantly left footed, he just cuts in at every opportunity and I much prefer Zog to either Walcott or Eboue a lot more end product. I could see him being a great success at Arsenal
Hugo on the other hand, a much better forward than Eduardo and given the chances that Bendtner has had recently he`d have scored 30 this season, but he isn`t much of a target man, he definitely benefits from playing off someone, maybe withy you bringing Chamkh in Wenger wants to change the system?
Anyway as always it`s been great to talk, if you are coming up on Sunday have a safe journey and good luck for the remaining games, after ours of course, take care see you next season, hopefully.
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