Battling Wigan frustrate Gunners

Mathieu Flamini looks on in frustration

Related links

Teams

• Arsenal
• Wigan Athletic

Also see

• Wigan fixtures
• Wigan stats
• Wigan forum

Arsenal failed to reproduce their Milan heroics as Arsene Wenger's men could only manage a 0-0 stalemate against a disciplined and committed Wigan Athletic side at the JJB Stadium.

The Gunners went into Sunday's fixture, following a much-hailed display in the San Siro, aware that victory would take them four points ahead of second place Manchester United at the summit of the table.

But Steve Bruce's side restricted Arsenal to few clear-cut chances to secure an invaluable point, which sees The Latics climb to 13th in the Premier League table - three points above the relegation zone.

The encounter's best chance came in the first minute when Cesc Fabregas slipped Emmanuel Adebayor through on goal; however Chris Kirkland was off his line quickly to deny the Togo international.

Robin van Persie was introduced in 65th minute as Wenger looked to resolve his side's laboured manner, but the Dutchman was unable to spark Arsenal into life as they succumbed to their third consecutive league draw.

Arsenal were quickly into their stride from the kick-off and after just 42 seconds Adebayor forced Kirkland into a smart stop after the Togo striker burst clear.

Alert

Mario Melchiot then had to be alert to the danger posed by Adebayor, diving across to block his shot from 18 yards after the striker's diagonal run from the halfway line.

Kirkland was called into action again in the 10th minute to tip Nicklas Bendtner's long-range shot around the post but Emile Heskey headed clear the resulting corner.

But Wigan were let off in the 16th minute when Bendtner was put through by Fabregas but completely missed his kick as he closed in on Kirkland and the ball ran off the end of the pitch.

Philippe Senderos' 34th-minute foul on Heskey gave Koumas the chance to whip in a 25-yard free-kick but Gilberto Silva cleared the initial cross and Michael Brown's acrobatic return sailed harmlessly wide.

Fabregas' header forced Kirkland into a good save low to his right at the expense of a corner but Wigan had justified complaints as Flamini had been clearly offside earlier in the move. Fortunately for referee Rob Styles the corner came to nothing.

Fabregas then became embroiled in a storm all of his making as, after bumping into Heskey on the touchline, he clutched his head as though the England striker had made contact when he had not.

However, both the Spanish midfielder and Heskey escaped further censure from Styles.

Three minutes after the interval Kirkland saved from Adebayor after a mix-up with his defender Paul Scharner as to who was claiming Gael Clichy's free-kick from the halfway line.

Lucky escape

And Wigan were lucky to escape again moments later when Fabregas made a rare error of judgement in trying to square the ball to Bendtner when he was better placed to shoot himself from 10 yards.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce was the first to make a change when he brought on Antoine Sibierski for Heskey in the 55th minute.

Sibierski was soon into the action as his shot from Melchiot's right-wing cross deflected behind off Gallas for a corner but once more Wigan could not make it count.

Antonio Valencia's swerving 25-yard drive forced Manuel Almunia to palm away at full stretch and the goalkeeper then had to come to punch clear Koumas' corner.

With seven minutes to go Van Persie, obviously still looking for match fitness, blazed over from 20 yards.

Bruce sent on Kevin Kilbane for King with three minutes to go to shore up the defensive effort before Kirkland smothered Fabregas' close-range shot late on.