Tuesday, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1
NO FA Cup winning team has been relegated in the same season but you have to feel for Arsenal's opponents.
Traditionally, winning an FA Cup was the crowning glory to the domestic season, the last say on proceedings and a major triumph to be celebrated champagne-style long into the night.
Not so anymore. Having claimed the famous trophy, massive underdogs Wigan were under instructions to keep the party strictly to IRN-BRU as they still have two more must-win cup finals in the Premier League to give themselves a chance of survival.
However, after such an energy-sapping game on the Wembley turf, a trip to the Emirates becomes all the more daunting. Arsenal are only second behind Chelsea in the form table, having picked up 14 points from their last six games.
Given their own huge motivation to win, combined with that extra freshness, the Gunners should have enough to seal Wigan's fate in the latter stages.
Arsenal have scored more counter-attack goals than any other Barclays Premier League team this season (7). There are not many sides better equipped to counter attack than Arsene Wenger's Champions League-chasers.
Arsenal have genuine pace in wide areas with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or even Gervinho, depending on who the Frenchman decides to deploy.
It took a controversial penalty to settle matters at the DW Stadium earlier in the season but even on that day Arsenal were able to exploit the space behind Wigan's pushed-on wing-backs.
Essential to Arsenal's attacking threat that day was Walcott, the winner of the penalty and a man in form again ahead of this one. Arsenal's top scorer this season has notched the first goal on his last two Premier League starts and will be sure to pose Wigan serious problems once more.
Arsenal's last four Premier League games have gone under 2.5 goals, with three of them going under 1.5 goals.
Despite their good form it's fair to say Arsenal have not been imperious in victory. Recent wins over Fulham and QPR were achieved by just a single-goal margin, while two other home draws against the champions and Everton respectively produced just a solitary goal in their favour.
Arsenal's last four Premier League games have failed to reach the 2.5 mark, with credit due to their defence for keeping three clean sheets in that period, only beaten from the penalty spot.
In their five previous away league games against the current top six this season the Latics have not managed to register more than a single goal either. Arsenal will also still be without French striker Oliver Giroud who serves the last of a three-match ban.
Recommended Bets
Back Theo Walcott to score first @ 6.2
Back Draw/Arsenal in Half-Time/Full-Time @ 5.1
Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.88
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Something tells me the last place will be settled on the last day. And I fancy Wigan after the cinfidence they will bring from beating man city. Wigan know how to survive, they do it season on season. I’m backing Wigan 8/1 (bet365).
Postyjay, I’d like to see Wigan take it to the final day but fear the worst. With the Scots they have – Maloney, McArthur and McCarthy (a Scot who plays for Ireland) and Caldwell they are well followed up here. Would love to see them stay up for McCarthy who I’ll always remember from the night he handed out my son’s boys’ club prizes. He was only 17 or 18 and playing for Hamilton Accies at the time and a star in the making but spent hours getting pics taken with all the boys and talking to the kids. Was really impressed by his attitude that night and seems to have his head screwed on.
Laying arsenal at 1.42, wow didn’t expect it to be that low odds on the lay. Fancy Wigan to get a draw at least
just having another look at this game, mcmanam to score anytime is 6.6, worth a small punt on this after his wembley display?
Madi, for anyone thinking about Wigan, yes. I’m thinking both teams will score because both have to win so not a bad option.
You are backing under 2.5 here but in your top tips you are backing over 2.5
Confused?
I am backing Under 2.5, Mr F is backing over
Milesey
Rob, as Milesey said two different opinions. You have to decide who you think is right. I’ve given my reasoning.
I take on your point.. Mr fix tips…
Football can throw so many surprises..I had Wigan to win FA cup.. My theory on that was man city are poor away from home.Unless there playing the likes of man utd.
Either way will be a cracking game. And arsenal are good at home.. But could the pressure get to them. And could tottenham take revenge for last seasons, when arsenal took the last champions league spot.
Who knows!
I
HALF – TIME
ARSENAL 1 WIGAN 1
got the draw for half time, have to let the unders go now, and hope Arsenal to win now, and a walcott goal would be nice too.
Back Draw/Arsenal in Half-Time/Full-Time @ 5.1
Milesey
THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I SAID
THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
GET IN !!!!!!!!!!!!
Milesey
OK, I win on the Arsenal under/overs – what about Troyes?
still 1 – 1 with 30 minutes to go
Milesey
Mr F did you do anytime as well as first goal ?
or did you have alittle dib in the half time market ?
Milesey
MIlesey, I was all over Arsenal to be honest, plus btts and overs but rubbish prices, Backed Theo first and anytime as I said in the piece. Shame about Troyes for the unders but early goal often changes things and I backed overs after that so nothing lost.
Back Draw/Arsenal in Half-Time/Full-Time @ 5.1
I’ll take that, and say BYE BYE WIGAN !
Milesey