Arsenal produced an incisive, attacking display to cruise to a comfortable victory against a lacklustre Wigan.
Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen rose to head the Gunners into the lead from a corner before curling in his second from the edge of the box.
Arsenal's third came when a shot by Eduardo found the net courtesy of a deflection from Emmanuel Eboue, who may well ultimately claim it.
A back-heel finish by Cesc Fabregas in injury time crowned a superb win.
Headlines in the week leading up to the game had been dominated by the fall-out from the more unsavoury aspects of Arsenal's 4-2 defeat at Manchester City.
Seven days on, and without a pumped-up former Gunner in the opposition ranks, Arsenal showcased the authoritative, possession football that is their staple.
However, in the early stages a quality final ball was lacking and the home side were limited to a brace of long-range snap-shots from Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby and a free-kick from the former which flashed past the post.
Van Persie was presented with a better opportunity after 20 minutes when Eboue was released down the right before driving over a cross from near the byline, but the ball was just behind the striker and he was only able to steer a tame effort wide of goal.
After softening up their opponents with these early jabs, Arsenal landed the first hammer blow from which Wigan never recovered, when Van Persie swung over a corner and Vermaelen rose above a trio of Wigan defenders to plant a powerful header past keeper Chris Kirkland.
The Gunners maintained the pressure following the goal and Van Persie again carved out a good opportunity, threading in Eboue behind the Wigan defence on the right but the midfielder's shot flashed across goal.
Having demonstrated his nerves early on with a header outside the area that almost gifted Wigan a chance, young goalkeeper Vito Mannone made a fine save to preserve Arsenal's lead, parrying Emmerson Boyce's six-yard header from a corner.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8264897.stm
No comments:
Post a Comment