Arsenal flatter to deceive as plucky Wigan are swept aside

11 April 2009 18:50
At that stage Wigan were good value for the lead secured by an acrobatic goal from Mido and had reason to believe they might finally beat one of the 'Big Four' at the 31st attempt. Antonio Valencia then raced clear in pursuit of a through-ball, only to have his shirt tugged by Kieran Gibbs, 19, who was making his first league start for Arsenal.[LNB]Referee Alan Wiley, who dismissed Valencia in dubious circumstances at Liverpool in October, spared Gibbs the red card. Mr Wiley later informed an incredulous Wigan manager Steve Bruce that he did not believe the Ecuadorian had control of the ball. As boos rang around the JJB Stadium, the free-kick, struck from 20 yards by Ben Watson, came out off the inside of the post.[LNB] Related ArticlesWalcott keen to stay at ArsenalArshavin has double targetManchester United back on top as Federico Macheda sinks SunderlandArsene Wenger: Liverpool win over Man United ?flattered? Rafa Benitezs menPremier League team news: Weekend squad, stats and betting tipsChampions League watch: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester UnitedInstead of facing a 2-0 deficit with 10 men, Arsenal regrouped and went to 4-4-2 to allow Cesc Fabregas greater influence. With the Spaniard pulling the strings, they drew level through Theo Walcott and went ahead with a rare goal by Mikael Silvestre. Andrey Arshavin scored a third in the final minute before Alexandre Song added insult to injury time for Wigan.[LNB]Bruce said he could not put his opinion of the referee on the record without risking a fine, but said: '[Mr Wiley] told me he didn't think Valencia was going to get to the ball first, but he was the fastest man on the pitch. We still might have lost, but it's a darn sight easier playing Arsenal when they've got 10 men than 11.'[LNB]Wenger admitted he was 'scared' Gibbs would be sent off but argued that Arsenal's keeper, Lukasz Fabianski, would have reached the ball ahead of Valencia. 'Wigan played strongly in the first half,' he added, 'but in the second they tired and our technique took over.'[LNB]On the day Wigan announced the end of the impasse over Amir Zaki, who has apologised to Bruce and accepted a fine of two weeks' wages for failing to return to the club following international duty, his fellow Egyptian Mido was outstanding. The former Tottenham striker not only scored with a bicycle kick, but also exposed the fragility of an Arsenal back line without William Gallas. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph