Wigan Up Next

One wonders what the Wigan fans will make of their surroundings on Sunday. The Latics last visit to N5 was of course on the historic occasion of Highbury’s final hurrah just last May, and most of the visitors stayed behind that day to share in our celebrations.

They will, like the rest of us, be in awe of the comfortable big seats and excellent sight-lines at the Grove, but the pie gourmets may be a little taken aback by the cost of their refreshments!

Arsenal have an excellent record against Wigan, having won four of the five meetings between the two sides including of course that dramatic 4-2 triumph on the final day of last season which clinched Champions League football for the eighth consecutive season.

Speculating on the Gunners line-up is a bit of a pointless exercise at this stage as a number of players face fitness tests on Saturday. I wish no disrespect to the visitors when I say whatever eleven are put out should secure the points at the weekend and maintain the unbeaten-in-2007 statistic.

Wigan have concerns of their own with key players Kirkland, Baines, Heskey, and Camara struggling for full fitness. Sadly they have failed to repeat their exploits of last season and are looking anxiously over their shoulders, praying that the likes of West Ham and Charlton will not start securing valuable points.

The other significant thing I have learned today (thank you Arsenal.com) is that Thierry Henry now shares his goal celebrations solely with Emmanuel Adebayor because the big Togolese is the only other player in the squad who can do the hip-wriggle and steps at the same time. Come back Cygan, all is forgiven!

That’s basically my lot for today. I’m going to listen to Arsecast now, and hope that Wenger’s latest interview is on ATVO by the time that’s finished. Then it will be time to phone the Chinese restaurant for a home delivery, and crack open a vat of something red and glugable!

Have a good weekend ‘holics.