Gunners left in tatters

Watson, Bramble and N'Zogbia resurrect Martinez's men

Last updated: 18th April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wigan v Arsenal Wigan celeb FT Emmanuel Eboue woe

Wigan & Arsenal: Contrasting emotions at the final whistle

Wigan v Arsenal Arsene Wenger woe FT Wigan fans celeb

Wenger: Penny for your thoughts

Wigan v Arsenal Charles Nzogbia goal

N'Zogbia: Stuns Arsenal in injury time
Man of the Match: Ben Watson provided willing running throughout the afternoon when some of his team-mates appeared disinterested, and on a rare start he sparked the astounding comeback with a well-taken goal.

Gaffe of the Match: Hapless Lukasz Fabianski underlined why Arsenal are being linked with Joe Hart as he produced a feeble fumble to allow Titus Bramble to equalise.

Goal of the Match: Charles N'Zogbia had been frustrating prior to his injury-time winner, but there could be no complaints with his finish as he superbly curled past Fabianski from the edge of the box.

Mistake of the Match: Fabianski's blunder was obvious, but was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to blame for allowing his team to slip into cruise control in the closing stages? Should Robin van Persie have come off the bench at an earlier stage of the game?

Talking Point: Has there been a better comeback in the history of the Premier League? Are Arsenal now out of the title race? Are Wigan safe from relegation? Do the Gunners need to buy a new goalkeeper?

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Wigan produced a turnaround to match any in Premier League history as they boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation by coming from two goals down in the last 11 minutes to earn a 3-2 win and leave Arsenal's title aspirations in tatters.

With 80 minutes on the clock at the DW Stadium, Roberto Martinez's side were two goals down, lifeless and apparently resigned to defeat after a first-half strike from Theo Walcott and a Mikael Silvestre header shortly after the break.

But from absolutely nowhere Wigan staged a remarkable resurrection as first Ben Watson restored hope after meeting Victor Moses' cutback from the byline and then Titus Bramble capitalised from a dreadful blunder from Lukasz Fabianski.

Arsenal's second-choice goalkeeper started the match due to Manuel Almunia's wrist injury and he was entirely to blame for the Latics' equaliser, but he was helpless when Charles N'Zogbia curled a sensational winner in injury time.

For Wigan, the result moved Martinez's men seven points clear of the relegation zone, while defeat left Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, fresh from a midweek loss to Tottenham, devastated, stunned and six points behind leaders Chelsea with three games to play.

Spurs' victory over Chelsea on Saturday evening had given the visitors a glimmer of hope on the title front, but that has now evaporated, and they have only themselves to blame for a late collapse.

For 40 minutes here they found themselves frustrated by a Wigan side desperate for points in their battle to stay in the top flight for a sixth successive season.

After being booed off the pitch on Wednesday following a goalless draw against an already-relegated and under-strength Portsmouth side, Wigan were determined to restore the faith of their fans.

There was an improved urgency about Martinez's side in the early exchanges, but for 80 minutes they lacked a cutting edge and any real bite.

Ascendancy

Instead it was Arsenal who were in the ascendancy, initially in the 41st minute as Nicklas Bendtner split covering defenders Maynor Figueroa and Bramble with a through ball of pace and precision.

After riding Bramble's challenge and pulling away from Figueroa, Walcott then slid the ball underneath the advancing Chris Kirkland for his seventh goal of the season.

It was deserved as Walcott should have scored minutes prior to that after Abou Diaby had released him in behind Wigan's defence.

Although left with a one-on-one opportunity with Kirkland just outside the six-yard box, he opted to try and find Bendtner with a square ball, only to pull it behind him, allowing Wigan to clear.

Walcott could, and perhaps should have given Arsenal a two-goal cushion on the stroke of half time, only to narrowly clear the bar with a rising drive from just inside the area.

Prior to Walcott's opener, Wigan were lively, but barely troubled Fabianski, playing in his first league game since the end of last season with Almunia out with a wrist injury.

N'Zogbia, rumoured to be a target for Wenger in the summer, was narrowly wide with one curled effort, while a low, powerful 20-yard drive was straight at the Pole.

As a contest, it seemed to turn inside the opening three minutes of the second half, initially after just 40 seconds as Wigan were denied a penalty.

Wrath

Referee Lee Mason, who had incurred the wrath of the Wigan fans all afternoon with his decisions, infuriated the locals further by turning a blind eye to Samir Nasri's pull on the arm of Watson.

Moments later, and from Arsenal's first attack of the half, Kirkland superbly denied Diaby at close range, with the ball eventually running for a corner.

Nasri proceeded to deliver an outswinger to which Wigan's defence were guilty of falling asleep, allowing Silvestre an unmarked header from the penalty spot beyond Kirkland's outstretched grasp.

Starting for Thomas Vermaelen, who misses the end to the season with a calf strain, it was Silvestre's first goal for a year since a 4-1 win at the DW Stadium.

Wigan looked as though they were going to roll over without so much as a whimper.

N'Zogbia curled a tame effort that was easy pickings for Fabianski, on his 25th birthday, after being played in by Watson.

Watson was then denied by Fabianski who was at full stretch to prevent a low 20-yard shot from creeping inside his right-hand post, while Hugo Rodallega saw his scuffed shot trickle wide.

But then 10 minutes from time Watson hauled Wigan back into the game with a sidefoot effort from 12 yards after substitute Moses had played the midfielder in from the byline.

It was the catalyst for the comeback, aided by a howler from Fabianski, who fluffed an N'Zogbia corner, allowing Bramble a free header which crossed the line, despite Clichy's efforts to hook the ball clear.

Then in the first of four minutes of added time N'Zogbia struck a beautiful curling winner from 20 yards to send the majority of the DW Stadium into raptures, and leave Arsenal's followers sickened.

Wigan AthleticTeam StatisticsArsenal
3Goals2
01st Half Goals1
8Shots on Target7
5Shots off Target3
6Blocked Shots2
8Corners3
15Fouls16
2Offsides2
2Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
73.9Passing Success74.2
28Tackles24
78.6Tackles Success70.8
49.7Possession50.3
55.7Territorial Advantage44.3

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Comments (23)

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Jonathan Clark (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

To be honest I never thought that anything other than another horrific loss was on the cards but the lads have shown some real spirit, just wish I had been there along with the record crowd to see it. I always hope Arsenal will break the stranglehold of Manchester United and Chelsea but this season, which was undoubtedly their best chance in recent years, but yet again they've fallen short.

Posted 21:08 18th April 2010

James Curdew (Arsenal fan) says...

this display by arsenal was so infuriating. i think it's time for new ideas with new management. how do you leave van persie out with 30 seconds to the final minute. clearly need new goalkeepers. mannone is the better than the keepers ahead of him. only sol campbell showed fighting spirit and deservers wearing the shirt

Posted 16:51 18th April 2010

Chris Heap (Manchester United fan) says...

To all the Arsenal fans complaining - I can understand your frustrations, having not won a trophy in a while. But you should all keep faith with Wenger, he's a top top manager. There is still a chance (all be it, very slim) for you to win the league, with 3 games to play - which is in my book not a bad season. If Van Persie had been fit the entire season it may have been a different story, Arsenal may have been top. After selling the winging, money grabbing Adebayor Wenger felt he had adequate firepower with RVP, Bendtner, Arshavin and Eduardo...unfortunately injuries have played their part - losing key players at key times and that's whats cost you, not Wenger's incompetence. I agree you need a few players...but then what team doesn't.

Posted 16:48 18th April 2010

Ahmed Ahmed (Arsenal fan) says...

Disgusted, absolutely shattered, Wenger is a great manager, but he got his tactics completely wrong in the last 2 games. and obviously during January transfer window. Van Persi should have been brought in when the score at 2/0 or 2/1 or even 2/2. why didn't he? Arrogance of Mr Wenger or totally lost it? I think the substitutions were wrong when obviously wigan at a high, you need to keep your offenseve players and add to your attack...just not good enough Mr Wenger.

Posted 16:47 18th April 2010

Deb Chapman says...

A big three points for the boys in blue and white, not that we were expecting them! Love watching arsene wenger with his arms waving antics - always look forward to the arsenal game!

Posted 16:46 18th April 2010

Craig Gunner says...

The question has to be asked, Will this bunch of heartless players win a trophy for Arsenal?? I think the answer has to be NO!! Fabianski, Diaby, Vela, Eduardo, Rosicky none of these players deserve to wear the Arsenal shirt!! Wenger must get shot and spend some money on QUALITY players. We have had enough average players bought for peanuts from europe. Yes Wenger has bought some cracking players, however he has bought more rubbish than good!

Posted 16:46 18th April 2010

Justin Richards (Arsenal fan) says...

Well played Wigan they showed brilliant resolve to get something out of this game. Arsene please buy a decent goalkeeper Flapianski & Almunia are both not good enough. We need another central defender and striker and we need some back bone in the team this result really shows up our fraility. Never has a team had so many second chances to get back in the title race and not been able to take them. We have along way to go to meet Man utd & Chelsea levels and they have not played well this season.

Posted 16:05 18th April 2010

Bruce Cole (Arsenal fan) says...

When is Arsene Wenger going to sort out the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates?. As Paul Merson said this afternoon, the Gunners will not win the Premiership until they get a class goalkeeper. The present crop in my opinion are just not good enough.

Posted 16:05 18th April 2010

Adam Kendall (Arsenal fan) says...

Absolutely disgusting display from Arsenal. They should be ashamed of themselves. Mr. Wenger needs to have a look around the dressing room and tell a few of those "boys" that Arsenal no longer requires their services.

Posted 16:04 18th April 2010

Brian Saftig (Arsenal fan) says...

Absolutely horrific. I could moan about Arsenal's bad fortune this year...but a performance like this, coupled with last week's, shows why we have no silverware AGAIN this year.

Posted 16:02 18th April 2010

M Bakes (Arsenal fan) says...

Starting to become sick of being an arsenal fan, When will Wenger finally open his eyes and see that we have too many players who simply dont cut it. Apart from Campbell no player with any bottle - that's what you get for playing kids in a mens game. Buy some experience and do it quick or risk being left in Spurs wake... Very embarrasing week for the football club, too many players dont deserve to wear the shirt, How we're 3rd in the league I dont know!!!! Sort it out Arsene or walk away, you may have taken us as far as you can without opening the cheque-book...

Posted 16:00 18th April 2010

Bob Jones (Arsenal fan) says...

seriously, isnt arsene tired of all this amateurism. 2-0 up and instead of playing keep ball and passing it around more comfortably, we kept panicking and encouraging wigan. ive supported arsenal since i was 5, bought my season ticket since 12 and now im 17 and ive never seen wenger this baffled with his team, maybe he needs a break or maybe he should do the opposite of his philosophy and sell our useless 1st and 2nd choice keepers and that old bag silvestre. buy 2 new defenders, a new keeper, striker and 2 mroe midfielders!

Posted 15:59 18th April 2010

Mark Redworth (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Bad week for the poor old Gooner supporters..... Carlsberg don't do weeks in football, but if they did this would be one of them....................

Posted 15:58 18th April 2010

A Gunner (Arsenal fan) says...

Absolute toilet! Wenger says he has money to spend, rivalling that of Chelsea even. We shall see, I would expect that the side would be very much more stronger than this pitiful performance would show if this is true, next season. If not then I would remove Wenger and get another manager - 7 years without silverware is not good enough.

Posted 15:57 18th April 2010

Baz Dolling (Arsenal fan) says...

Yet another season of disappointment and frustration for us Arsenal fans. Something has got to give, as this 'promised talent' isn't and most probably won't, come to fruition. I think we're tired of hearing about the potential - that doesn't win trophies. Remember the good old days - Bergkamp, Henry, Overmars, Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira, Petit - the current Arsenal team wouldn't deserve to wash their boots! We need signings, we need experience, or else season 10/11 will end up with the same script. I'm sorry Arsene, I'm just not buying it anymore.

Posted 15:57 18th April 2010

Ali Issa (Arsenal fan) says...

If wenger putt van persie on earlier we would have put the game to bed. And today showed why arsenal are far frome manchester united and chelsea

Posted 15:57 18th April 2010

Kevin Mcdonagh (Fulham fan) says...

Well done Wigan,but what are Arsenal up to? I think the Arsenal supporters are slowly growing weary of Mr Wenger.

Posted 15:57 18th April 2010

James Hancock (Arsenal fan) says...

Total disgrace!

Posted 15:57 18th April 2010

Bill Layton (Manchester United fan) says...

What a magnificent weekend for United,not saying we will win title ,I never predict, but we must have a very good chance now.

Posted 15:52 18th April 2010

Alex Dennis (Arsenal fan) says...

I actually can't believe this happened...Wenger needs to sell at 75% of that team and start again because i can count on my one hand of how many of those players seem to care about the team and deserve to wear it's shirt and still have fingers to spare... this young player policy clearly doesn't work as we haven't on anything in what will be 5 years,,.and they're not good enough to play for the team..how do you concede 3 goals in 10 mins? conference teams don't even do that...

Posted 15:51 18th April 2010
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