Opta Big Match Stats: Walcott to help seal Wigan's fate

 

There is no time to rest for the FA Cup winners, as Christian Crowther previews Wigan's vital Tuesday night trip to the Emirates...

 

Arsenal v Wigan (Tuesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 1)

No FA Cup winning team has ever been relegated in the same season

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 cup, massive underdogs Wigan were under instructions to keep the party strictly Irn-Bru, as they still have two more must-win cup finals in 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.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw/Arsenal in Half-Time/Full-Time @ 5.1

 

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.

Best Bet: Back Theo Walcott to score first @ 6.2

 

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 that 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 Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.88

 

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