Untold preview: Arsenal host Wigan « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade

By Phil Gregory

Another weekend, another refereeing calamity to marvel at prior to our very own match. Recently, the refereeing has been so bad that it almost seems like the officials have banded together and said “right lads, drop a clanger every game until they give us video tech”. Now, as Walter et al have consistently said, refereeing is pretty poor in the Premier League and the problem is exacerbated because football is such a low-scoring game: often one goal decides a match come fulltime, and taking a dodgy lead can alter the tactical balance of the match too.

Take United’s recent defeat to Wigan. Watching only the Match of the Day highlights I noted that: Wigan scored from a corner that clearly was a goal kick, though the Latics also had a goal ruled out wrongly – if anything the foul was against Wigan, so the referee could have given a penalty had Wigan not scored. Looking at United, Figueroa clearly handballed in the box and the officials missed it, while Welbeck was also fouled for a penalty not given. I mean, that’s a lot of BIG mistakes. Giving any  one of those United penalties could give United a point that wins them the league or sends Wigan down, while there were more than enough decisions that went for United that a City fan may look on them unfavourably.

Then the weekend’s FA Cup action was an absolute shambles and Ashley Young took another dive, but I’ll leave refereeing for now or I’ll never stop. Suffice to say I’m delighted it won’t be a Liverpool vs. Spurs final… the option of either Dalglish or ‘Arry winning the cup holds little appeal. Dalglish as, quite simply, he is a vile man and two cups would convince some Liverpool fans he actually has a clue what he is doing, while clearly we don’t want Spurs getting their hands on the Cup either. Now a Chelsea win wouldn’t be something to cheer for either, but I’d much rather them than Spurs or Liverpool, if I’m being honest.

Onto our game however. No doubt Dogface will be fearful with the exposure a Monday night kick off brings and I hope we don’t have any form of stumble – referee induced or not – as I’ll be watching it with my Sunday football team. We’ve got a playoff semi final game on Wednesday versus our rivals so a quick training session on Monday was well in order, with a customary “team bonding” three pints afterwards too.

Wigan’s recent revival is certainly impressive, with the seeming certainties for the drop putting together three wins and three draws in their last eight games, while away from home they’ve grabbed two wins and draw from five, which is impressive for a relegation-battling side. Caution and respect is due then, quite clearly.

On the injury front the news is looking positive for both Gervinho and Gibbs, with the former a near certainty to be fit for the match. Gibbs’ possible absence – he is rated 50/50 – is of course no good thing, but Brazilian international Santos is more than capable of coming in and performing. Diaby isn’t available, but will soon return to full training along with Coquelin. Laurent Koscielny is suspended.

Szcznesy

Sagna Vermaelen Djourou Santos

Song Arteta

Rosicky

Walcott Van Persie Chamberlain

With no new injuries or suspensions from the Wolves game, any changes will be purely tactical. In that game, Rosicky had a bit of a breather and Benayoun started wide left, likely to offer us a little more in support of our possession than the likes of Chamberlain. For a home game, I expect we’ll look to be fairly aggressive in the team selection, with the choice between Gervinho and Chamberlain for the left hand berth. I went for the youngster as Gervinho is just coming back from injury, so it makes sense to use the fresher of the two. The Ivorian is certainly a livewire option to come off the bench.

In theory, this game should be a relatively easy one but Wigan’s recent results should dissuade such thoughts. As good as Wigan were in beating United, the league leaders were also very poor so I have no doubt we should Wigan to the sword at the Emirates. Three points would move us ever closer to clinching third place, with the chasing pack of Spurs Newcastle and Chelsea only really hoping to clinch fourth place now, realistically.

2-0 to the Arsenal for me.