Early or not, with International football on the break in between, one can't help to wonder what will happen in the next premiership game and our next one is against a struggling side..
Before getting on to the details of our opposition..
A brief report on the last match - Reading F.C. VS Arsenal F.C.
Returning back on top of Barclays Premier League table, surpassing rivals Manchester United after a convincing 3-1 win against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
With the home side hoping to frustrate Arsenal by defending deep in the first half, just enough until Mathieu Flamini broke the dreadlock with Alex Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor set up in the 44th minute, just before the half time whistle blown.
Six minutes after the second half commenced, Emmanuel Adebayor added a superb finish inevitably a notable strike considering it was the club's 1000th Premiership goal.
Alex Hleb rounded Marcus Hahnemann 12 minutes from time to make it 3-0 and goal number 1001 for the Gunners in the Premier League, before Nicky Shorey strike home close-range after a goal-mouth scramble, a consolation goal for Reading.
Arsenal still unbeaten locked horns with rivals Manchester United for the top spot with a game in hand, looking forward the next match after the 2 weeks of international break.
Wigan Athletic Vital Statistics
A few facts on Wigan Athletic F.C.
Courtesy of Arsenal.com / English Premier League Official Site
Wigan Athletic won promotion to England's top flight for the first time ever in 2005 and have stayed in the Premier League for the last two seasons. Remaining in the top half of the table for almost the entire 2005/06 campaign, the Latics also reached the League Cup final for the first time in its history.
They surprised teams with their dynamism in attack and ability to continue carving out chances. Wigan's rise has been swift. Playing in the old Third Division when local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in 1995, his Premier League ambitions were realised in just 10 years.
Wigan found last season more taxing and were pulled into a relegation dogfight. However, they survived on the final day of the campaign after a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Sheffield United. Manager Paul Jewell chose to step down after survival had been guaranteed and was replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings.
Chris Hutchings was then sacked after a disappointing start of the season and Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan strive to find a replacement in time before the clash against the Gunners on the 24th November 2007.
* Wigan were the last team to play Arsenal at Highbury. An entertaining encounter ended in a 4-2 win to the Gunners.
* Arsenal have a 100 per cent record against Wigan in the Premiership.
* Wigan reached their first major Final, the 2006 Carling Cup Final, by knocking out Arsenal in the Semi-Finals. The Latics edged the two-legged affair on away goals after extra time.
Wigan Premier League history
2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership
2006-07 - Emile Heskey signed from Birmingham for a club record £5.5million
2006-07 - Paul Jewell resigns as manager and is replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings
2007-08 - Chris Hutchings sacked as manager
Last Five Meetings
PL, 11-02-07 Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Ath.
PL, 13-12-06 Wigan Ath. 0-1 Arsenal
PL, 07-05-06 Arsenal 4-2 Wigan Ath.
LC, 24-01-06 Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Ath.
LC, 10-01-06 Wigan Ath. 1-0 Arsenal
Current premiership standings
Still on top of that table, still Mancs breathing down our necks, we have so far in this season prove all the doubters wrong after the big summer we had losing a certain number 14 former captain.
They know it very well, their fans, their red nosed manager, their players that we are the ones who can seriously give them a beating of their title hopes this season. Sure its still early, we're still going through our wintry patches that could cost us a few points but after that Reading game, to get back in gear in the second half, in that bloody freezing weather and what not, but no, I'm more than convinced that this season is ours. Mancs can rot in hell for all I care.
Wigan just been thumped by the Scums 4-0. Shows how terrible in form they have been to be thumped by Scums at 4-0 to be honest. Although to be fair, they didn't have a manager then.
Emile Heskey is supposed to be back and he could fare us some problems. but then again, I wouldn't count on it too much
I'm more concerned on who will be on our possible line-up, with Fabregas suspended, one can expect Denilson to start or Gilberto or even Diarra, Diaby etc. We need creativity present in that CM partnership. To show whether or not we can cope without Fabregas present. people say we depend too much on Fabregas, we have to see if that is the case even if it is against Wigan.
Robin should be back for this game, but I doubt he would start straight away. I would expect in the first half, Arsène to field a 4-4-1-1 again with Hleb in hole again. RvP to come in the second half.
A game we should win, at all costs. Points are vital and the theory of our squad depth will be put in test here.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
Before getting on to the details of our opposition..
A brief report on the last match - Reading F.C. VS Arsenal F.C.
Returning back on top of Barclays Premier League table, surpassing rivals Manchester United after a convincing 3-1 win against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
With the home side hoping to frustrate Arsenal by defending deep in the first half, just enough until Mathieu Flamini broke the dreadlock with Alex Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor set up in the 44th minute, just before the half time whistle blown.
Six minutes after the second half commenced, Emmanuel Adebayor added a superb finish inevitably a notable strike considering it was the club's 1000th Premiership goal.
Alex Hleb rounded Marcus Hahnemann 12 minutes from time to make it 3-0 and goal number 1001 for the Gunners in the Premier League, before Nicky Shorey strike home close-range after a goal-mouth scramble, a consolation goal for Reading.
Arsenal still unbeaten locked horns with rivals Manchester United for the top spot with a game in hand, looking forward the next match after the 2 weeks of international break.
Wigan Athletic Vital Statistics
A few facts on Wigan Athletic F.C.
Courtesy of Arsenal.com / English Premier League Official Site
Wigan Athletic won promotion to England's top flight for the first time ever in 2005 and have stayed in the Premier League for the last two seasons. Remaining in the top half of the table for almost the entire 2005/06 campaign, the Latics also reached the League Cup final for the first time in its history.
They surprised teams with their dynamism in attack and ability to continue carving out chances. Wigan's rise has been swift. Playing in the old Third Division when local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in 1995, his Premier League ambitions were realised in just 10 years.
Wigan found last season more taxing and were pulled into a relegation dogfight. However, they survived on the final day of the campaign after a 2-1 win against relegation rivals Sheffield United. Manager Paul Jewell chose to step down after survival had been guaranteed and was replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings.
Chris Hutchings was then sacked after a disappointing start of the season and Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan strive to find a replacement in time before the clash against the Gunners on the 24th November 2007.
* Wigan were the last team to play Arsenal at Highbury. An entertaining encounter ended in a 4-2 win to the Gunners.
* Arsenal have a 100 per cent record against Wigan in the Premiership.
* Wigan reached their first major Final, the 2006 Carling Cup Final, by knocking out Arsenal in the Semi-Finals. The Latics edged the two-legged affair on away goals after extra time.
Wigan Premier League history
2004-05 - Promoted to Barclays Premiership
2006-07 - Emile Heskey signed from Birmingham for a club record £5.5million
2006-07 - Paul Jewell resigns as manager and is replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings
2007-08 - Chris Hutchings sacked as manager
Last Five Meetings
PL, 11-02-07 Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Ath.
PL, 13-12-06 Wigan Ath. 0-1 Arsenal
PL, 07-05-06 Arsenal 4-2 Wigan Ath.
LC, 24-01-06 Arsenal 2-1 Wigan Ath.
LC, 10-01-06 Wigan Ath. 1-0 Arsenal
Current premiership standings
Still on top of that table, still Mancs breathing down our necks, we have so far in this season prove all the doubters wrong after the big summer we had losing a certain number 14 former captain.
They know it very well, their fans, their red nosed manager, their players that we are the ones who can seriously give them a beating of their title hopes this season. Sure its still early, we're still going through our wintry patches that could cost us a few points but after that Reading game, to get back in gear in the second half, in that bloody freezing weather and what not, but no, I'm more than convinced that this season is ours. Mancs can rot in hell for all I care.
Wigan just been thumped by the Scums 4-0. Shows how terrible in form they have been to be thumped by Scums at 4-0 to be honest. Although to be fair, they didn't have a manager then.
Emile Heskey is supposed to be back and he could fare us some problems. but then again, I wouldn't count on it too much
I'm more concerned on who will be on our possible line-up, with Fabregas suspended, one can expect Denilson to start or Gilberto or even Diarra, Diaby etc. We need creativity present in that CM partnership. To show whether or not we can cope without Fabregas present. people say we depend too much on Fabregas, we have to see if that is the case even if it is against Wigan.
Robin should be back for this game, but I doubt he would start straight away. I would expect in the first half, Arsène to field a 4-4-1-1 again with Hleb in hole again. RvP to come in the second half.
A game we should win, at all costs. Points are vital and the theory of our squad depth will be put in test here.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!