Wigan v Arsenal – Match Facts

Team news, quotes and facts ahead of the Premier League clash between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal at the DW Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has no fresh injury concerns. Emmerson Boyce, who has not featured in the squad for the last two matches, is back in training working on his fitness. Fellow defender Antolin Alcaraz misses out again as he serves the final game of his three-match suspension for spitting at Wolves defender Richard Stearman.

Arsenal will be without midfielders Abou Diaby(hamstring) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh). Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) is still out, along with defenders Carl Jenkinson (back) and Bacary Sagna (ankle). Jack Wilshere (ankle) andKieran Gibbs (hernia) are long-term absentees.

MANAGER QUOTES

Roberto Martinez: “In football you need luck – there is only so much you can achieve by being good. Being good is great, and that is something you can affect, but having a little bit of luck helps you to be a stronger side. In any sport where you have a group of individuals, you need to create that little bit of momentum and belief. That comes through good results, and luck plays a big part in football.”

Arsene Wenger: “Wigan are a good team, they are a dangerous side. I think last year was a bit special but overall they had good players. They look like they are coming back with a bit more confidence now and it will be a tough game.”

MATCH FACTS

Ben Watson has scored in his last two appearances for Wigan against Arsenal at the DW Stadium.

Arsenal have dropped five points from winning positions in the last 10 minutes of the last two matches against Wigan at the DW Stadium.

In the last four meetings between the Latics and the Gunners where both sides have scored, the team that netted the opening goal has won none (D1 L3).

There have been 13 goals scored in the 80th minute or later in the last 10 Premier League meetings between Wigan and Arsenal.

The Gunners have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League away games, but have scored in 15 of their last 16 on the road.

Apart from the 0-0 against Newcastle, Arsenal have trailed at some point in each of the other eight of their last nine away matches.

Wigan have only won one of the 12 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W1 D2 L9) and also lost three and won one of the four cup meetings.

Arsenal have recouped the most points from losing positions in the Premier League this season (7) and all of those have been won in the space of their last four league games.

Wigan have the worst conversion rate in the top flight scoring with just 9% of shots.

Half of the goals Wigan have scored have been netted from outside the box, the highest proportion in the top division, while only Blackburn (27%) have conceded a higher proportion from outside the area than Arsenal (26%).