Arsenal v Wigan: Gunners to carry on defending like the old days

Put simply, this is a match that both Arsenal and Wigan simply have to win, but for heavily contrasted reasons.

If Wigan don’t leave the Emirates with the three points, they are as good as relegated. A draw would technically mean they could survive, but they would need to make up a goal difference of 11 with Sunderland on the final day.

It is 15/2 that Wigan beat Arsenal and ensure that their chances of avoiding relegation would be in their own hands ahead of their final fixture with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have to win to leapfrog back above north London rivals Tottenham back into the much coveted fourth spot in the Premier League standings.

Arsenal are 1/3 to beat Wigan, but the better value may well be in the 29/20 that Arsene Wenger’s team triumph without conceding.

George Graham’s Arsenal of the late 1980s and early 1990’s was built around defensive solidarity and there was nothing the club loved more than a 1-0 victory.

There have been signs that the modern Arsenal are following a similar model in their race for the top four of late, as the only goal they have conceded in their last four fixtures was a penalty to Robin van Persie.

Clean sheets against Wigan are also fairly common as they have won three of the last four between the pair without conceding and five of the last eight.

However, given that Arsenal have only won 10 of their 18 home games this season and failed to triumph in their last two on their own patch, punters wanting to play it safe can get 5/4 on the Gunners just keeping a clean sheet.

Not much of a price, but the other profitable option potentially open to punters is the 2/9 in the Goal Crazy market that Wigan either score none or one at the Emirates.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.