Ahead of FA Cup semi-final match the London Gunners are looking to book a place in the final and secure a first trophy since 2005, against the FA Cup winners, Wigan Athletic who have already eliminated another Premier league top club, Manchester City, last round.
Arsene Wenger’s men find themselves in an uncomfortably familiar position ahead of their FA Cup semi-final match against the trophy, Championship side, Wigan Athletic. Back in early March when the Gunners booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals, Arsenal were still in the EPL title race and in Champions league. While Bayern Munich ended Arsenal Europe campaign, a run of poor results over the last month ended Arsenal title hope as the Gunners dropped to fourth place which is still unsecure as Everton are closing in and Wenger’s men could end this season with a title “unsuccessful” .
To prevent that, Arsenal need to win this game for which you can place a bet at Betfair , but Wigan despite being the Championship side, might not be a easy team to defeat. Still, Wenger admits that his side are clear favourites despite winning only four points in the last four matches.
Two away defeats, to Chelsea 6-0 and Everton 3-0 Gunners need to forget as the prospect of a final against Hull City or Sheffield United is something that Wenger looks to accomplish so he will throw in all the cards, and wont mix a team like the Frenchman knows to do in this competition. Last season when Wigan was still in the Premier league, Arsenal enrolled home and away win over Wigan.
Now Wigan sit on the 5th place of the England Championship and practically have secured the Premier league play off. Led by City cult hero Uwe Rosler, Wigan after winning the FA Cup last season against Man City repeated the trick with a 2-1 win over Citizens, result which led qualified them for the semi-finals with Arsenal. Before Man City, Wigan knocked two more Premier league sides, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City. Rosler for this match due to injuries can’t count on duo midfielders McCann and Watson, while Wenger on other side, is without defender Koscielny, midfielders Ozil, Wilshere, Diaby and Walcott.
Wigan manager, Uwe Rosler said that his side have nothing to lose against the mighty Arsenal.
“We’ll face an opposition who will be on top for the majority of the game so I’m sure the players will appreciate the supporters throughout.
“We will need strong support to carry us through difficult periods in the game.”
Team Probable lineups :
Wigan : Carson – Boyce, Ramis, Barnett, Crainey – Perch – McManaman, McArthur, Gomez, Beausejour – Powell
Arsenal : Szczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs – Ramsey, Arteta – Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski – Giroud