Arsenal v. Wigan 4-0 19/Sep/09

Vermaelen's headers proved to be a valuable asset in the Gunner's Arsenal.
[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]



After a couple of torrid games, the Gunners were back on track as the won by the large gap of four goals against the Latics in the second home game of the current Premier League Season. The rollercoster has started and Wenger's team can go from solid displays to terrible shows in a matter of days, if not hours. This time a sublime timing and two goals by the Belgian defender Vermaelen made the Gunners' evening pleasant and enjoyable.
It seems that Eboue's nightmare has ended if we consider the last home encounter of the visitors at the Emirates; the outcome being the man booed by many of the 60000-seater and later substituted. It appears that Eboue has not yet matured, being booked by a diving incident in the last match, as well as a handball.
There is a slight controversy on whether the third goal is given to Eduardo or Eboue. I personally think that it was the Crozilian rather than the Ivorian: we should see the special board's decision.




[Photo: The Sun]



Robin van Persie had, at least, three chances before the twentieth minute: each one more dangerous than the previous. The Gunners took the advantage by forwarding lines and assembling an early attack against an opposition that did not showed much will. Kirkland saved Eboue's handball and a wide effort just before the lead came, in yet another set piece, when Vermaelen headed against all the opposition, in the 25th minute.
While it appeared that the match was coming into a dull period, reaching the 35th minute, it was fairly obvious that the home team will not get finish the night with only one goal. Clichy showed brilliant runs as well as a difficult and rather reluctant defending.
Kirkland denied three times the Londoners' efforts before the break, while the Gunners looked for more attacks. 65% of possession in the first half- as well as the absence of Wigan travelling supporters- flooded my mind as the second phase started.




[Photo: Nick Potts/PA through Guardian]



The ambushes by the Latics were denied by the solid prowess of the defence led by Vermaelen. It was the same Belgian who grabbed a brace by beautifully delivering a shot that went over Kirkland's head. With two goals of advantage the Gunners seemed relaxed and gave certain favourable advantages to the travelling teams. All of these were denied as Eduardo's strike crossed Wigan's goal and put the scoreline up to three.
Strangely enough there were several advances towards Mannone's goal, which luckily in all fairness, went out. With some substitutions made, and the fear that Cesc Fabregas picked up an injury, the manager re-accommodated his pieces. The last goal came from a play that was finished by the Spanish captain. It is an apparently easy goal, but to tell you the truth, this sort of finishes are the ones that are practised day and night.