Gunners rally to crush Wigan Saturday, April 11, 2009
Arsenal launched a blistering fightback at the JJB Stadium to earn a 4-1 win over Wigan and extend their unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to 18 games.
Wigan had taken the lead through Mido but were hit by goals from Theo Walcott, Mikael Silvestre, Andrey Arshavin and Alexandre Song.
Referee Alan Wiley had sparked controversy in first half stoppage-time by handing only a yellow card to Kieran Gibbs after he hauled back Antonio Valencia. To complete Wigan's misery Ben Watson's free-kick smacked the post.
Wigan took the lead when Watson swung in a corner and Emmerson Boyce headed it forward. Bacary Sagna only half cleared the ball to Mido and his shot looked like it could be saved by Lukasz Fabianski who helped it into the net.
Arsenal were left exposed when Mario Melchiot was able to make a run down the right but his cross was cleared by Johan Djourou, who was soon replaced by Silvestre.
Silvestre got on the end of a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas in the 42nd minute but failed to get a decent touch.
Fabianski almost conceded a second goal when he came racing out to try and beat Mido to a header. The striker got there first but Gibbs showed good composure to clear his header off the line.
Arsenal were level after Arshavin threaded the ball through to Walcott, who steadied himself and rifled a shot into the corner beyond goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
Walcott was replaced in the 68th minute by Emmanuel Adebayor and the Gunners went ahead three minutes later with a simple goal. Arshavin prodded the ball into the path of Cesc Fabregas and he immediately released Silvestre, who made no mistake from close range.
Arshavin then added a third late in the day when he capitalised on a mistake by substitute Jason Koumas. Song completed Wigan's misery in the stoppage time with a fourth.
