Gunners can go eight points clear with a win over Wigan.

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Tonight’s visit by Wigan presents The Gunners with the opportunity to widen the gap between us and the chasing pack of assorted Chavs, Magpies, and Spuds.  An eight point lead over the last two and ten over the other one would be a morale booster for us and a demoralising blow for them.
This is an opportunity which must be grabbed with both hands, make no mistake Wigan will be a tough nut to crack, their last outing was a morale boosting one nil win over the title favourites who were, admittedly, not at their best and there were the usual contentious refereeing decisions.
Speaking ahead of the game Tomas Rosicky said “We saw what can happen against a team fighting for its life when we played away at QPR, and we expect the same kind of performance from Wigan on Monday. We have to give 100 per cent to get the result.”
Will Wigan park the bus?
One player definitely not available is Laurent Koscielny who will sit out the second match of his two game ban for accumulating ten yellow cards.  Kieran Gibbs is only 50/50, with a groin problem, so expect to see Johan Djourou and Andre Santos in the back four.
In mid-field Thomas Rosicky should return, in place of Aaron Ramsey, after being rested for the win over the Oilers,  Mikel Arteta is playing much too well to be overlooked and Alex Song is, well Alex Song!  The other place is a toss up between Yossi Benayoun and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.  For my money I’d go for the Ox who deserves a start especially as it’s at The Emirates.  Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott to take the striking roles.

Szczesny

Sagna   Djourou   Vermaelen   Santos

Song   Arteta   Rosicky

Walcott   Oxlade-Chamberlain

Van Persie

No doubt the home fans will keep up the terrific support that has been a feature of games at The Emirates lately.  Could it be that the legacy of The Highbury Library has been banished for ever?  Let’s hope so!

Final Thought

Last week I made the mistake of suggesting the Oilers were in meltdown and asked if second place was an impossible dream.  Since then they have beaten West Brom at home and Norwich City away with an aggregate score of  10 – 1.  I’ll keep my more ludicrous suggestions to myself in future and cheer our team on, hopefully, to secure third place.  Back in December goals by Arteta, Vermaelen, Gervinho and van Persie secured a 4 – 0 win over Wigan, something similar would be very welcome this evening.