A gracious Roberto Martinez has backed Arsenal to finally deliver a sustained title challenge.
Latics boss faces up to the prospect of a tough battle ahead
A gracious Roberto Martinez has backed Arsenal to finally deliver a sustained title challenge.
The Latics were gunned down 3-0 by a rampant Arsenal side, courtesy of a Robin van Persie hat-trick to take them two points behind leaders Manchester United.
He said: "Arsenal are getting stronger. You looking at the amount of players they are rotating and they have probably got two players per position.
"They know exactly the system, the way they play, they control the tempo of the game extremely well and they develop a real football arrogance that is a joy to watch."
Admiration
Despite Martinez's admiration for his opponents, his side are now in a perilous position in 18th place and very much in a relegation scrap.
Something to his credit he acknowledges.
"We know the challenge," he added.
"I know what we need to get out of the next 15 games.
Long-term
"Being in the bottom three now doesn't mean much. It is important we carry on with our long-term strategy.
"We have got young, very talented players. I don't want Wigan to be a team always fighting to avoid relegation but you need a transitional time.
"Two seasons is what we need to achieve that."
