Wigan will be hoping Arsenal take their eye off the ball again when they travel to the North West on Sunday.
Watch Wigan v Arsenal live on HD1 and Sky Sports 1 this Sunday
Wigan will be hoping Arsenal take their eye off the ball again when they travel to the North West on Sunday.
The Latics edged five points clear of the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw against Portsmouth in midweek, but continue to look anxiously over their shoulder.
A lacklustre showing against an under-strength Pompey side does not bode well for Roberto Martinez's men as they prepare for a make-or-break run-in.
Their record against Arsenal will also give them cause for concern ahead of the weekend, as they have taken only one point from the Gunners in nine previous Premier League meetings.
They have mustered just one goal in their last five league clashes with Arsene Wenger's side and only rock-bottom Portsmouth have scored fewer goals in the top flight this term.
Arsenal will arrive at the DW Stadium looking to keep their fading title dreams alive, but accept that the crown appears to have eluded them.
A 2-1 defeat at arch-rivals Tottenham in midweek has left them six points behind league leaders Chelsea with just 12 points left to play for.
They will fancy their chances of keeping in touch, though, this weekend as they have a habit of putting Wigan to the sword in comprehensive fashion.
The Gunners have scored four goals in each of their last two league encounters with the Latics and will be looking for more of the same on Sunday.
The only concern for Wenger heading into the game will be that his side have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 matches away from Emirates Stadium.
Team news
Hendry Thomas is Wigan manager Martinez's only doubt ahead of the crunch clash.
Thomas has missed the last two matches with a quad injury and is again rated as 50-50, although Martinez does not have high hopes he will figure.
Defender Gary Caldwell completes a three-match suspension, leaving Martinez with an otherwise full squad to choose from.
Arsenal central defender Thomas Vermaelen is out for the season with the calf strain he suffered against Tottenham and Alex Song remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Andrey Arshavin is recovering from his calf injury and has a chance of being fit to face Manchester City next week.
Robin van Persie could start if he recovers from tight muscles following his return from five months out against Spurs.
Aaron Ramsey, Cesc Fabregas (both broken leg) and Kieran Gibbs (metatarsal) are long-term absentees.
Possible starting XIs
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Gohouri, Bramble, Figueroa, McCarthy, Diame, Scharner, N'Zogbia, Moses, Rodallega.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy, Rosicky, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Bendtner, Van Persie.
