Wigan Athletic 0-1 Arsenal Match Report

Emmanuel Adebayor struck an 88th-minute winner at Wigan on Wednesday night to send Arsenal up to third in the Premiership and keep up the pressure on the top two to not lose points..

Just when both sides had begun to settle for a goalless draw, the Togolese striker who is now pefecting the art of scoring in the last minutes and clinch a victory from fruitless draw ,strode onto a throughball from Cesc Fabregas and planted a shot past the home sides posts.

The travelling fans sang “Ade-bayor” at the final whistle. After goals against Tottenham, Manchester United and now Wigan, the striker’s stock is rising at some pace.

Arsenal are set to play weekend-midweek until almost the end of January so it was no surprise to see Arsène Wenger rotate his squad. However slotting in Julio Baptista for his only his second Premiership start and Walcott for his third on the same night was a little more than expected.

In addition, Freddie Ljungberg and Toure came in. Philippe Senderos, Robin van Persie, Fabregas and Alex Hleb were the quartet to make way.

On the quarter-hour Flamini floated a clever cross to the far post and David Wright headed the ball over the bar with Adebayor in close attendance. Soon afterwards Clichy’s cross was intercepted just before it reached Ljungberg’s head.

However Wigan were to rally before the break. Toure cut down McCulloch’s charging run in its prime then Camara hacked a hopeful shot high over the bar.

Arsenal were efficient in repelling the hosts but failing to mount much in attack. Walcott’s raids down the right represented the best hope.

Within two minutes of the restart we had as many chances as in the whole of the opening 45.

In the 55th minute Gilberto fed Adebayor but the beanpole striker just failed to flick the ball past the advancing Wigan keeper.

A minute later Baptista sent Walcott through on the right. The 17-year-old chose not to go for goal and instead squared for Adebayor. The striker was challenged by Fitz Hall at the crucial moment and the neither made contact. Incredibly the ball trickled harmlessly across the area.

With 16 minutes left, Wenger brought on Fabregas and Van Persie for Baptista and Flamini.

Ten minutes from time, Van Persie spotted Ljungberg on the left of the area. The Swede forced Kirkland to save low at the near post. Adebayor flashed the follow up across goal. Camara curled a fierce drive just over by way of response.

Adebayor nearly flicked a shot past Kirkland in the 86th minute.

Two minutes later he finally breached the Wigan goal.