The good news for the Lactics faithful is that Wigan Athletic will be playing in Europe next season. The bad news is they still might not be playing in the Premier League while doing so. Roberto Martinez and the Latics continue their high-wire act Tuesday at the Emirates, where they need three vital points at Arsenal's expense in their on-going bid to avoid the drop. Two matches now remain, Wigan (9-8-19) are four points behind Sunderland and five back of Southampton, Fulham and Aston Villa. The Latics, though, will try for a staggering double in the London area after upsetting Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday on Ben Watson's header in the 90th minute.
It was the first trophy in the 81-year history of the club, which now must avoid the dubious distinction of being the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season. For the time being, Martinez will savor the victory that again will put his name among circles of teams who may be in line for new coaches next season.
"Wigan Athletic is an incredible story,'' Martinez said. ``Paul (Jewell) started everything, getting the team promoted to the Premier League. Now it's eight seasons and now we need to make sure the ninth season is round the corner, because we need to use European football in our favour. "I mean, it doesn't matter who the manager is, there's a bigger picture than that.'' Wigan have five road wins in 18 matches this season but are trying to win consecutive matches outside DW Stadium for the first time since beating Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion last season.
Martinez's counterpart - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - is familiar with FA Cup success, and his fourth title in 2004-05 is the last piece of silverware the Gunners held aloft. They have plenty to play for as well, entering this match two points behind Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth and final Champions League spot. Arsenal are unbeaten in eight league matches (6-2-0) on the bounce and rode Theo Walcott's first-minute goal to a 1-0 victory at already-relegated Queens Park Rangers on May 4.
The Gunners have conceded only one goal in their last four matches but been held to single goals in the last three. "We showed good concentration and in some situations where the ball was in the box, we didn't make a mistake that could have been costly,"
Wenger told the team's official website. "We didn't (concede) a penalty and were calm. We have improved a lot defensively." The Gunners, who also have an eight-match unbeaten streak at Emirates (5-3-0), are going for the double after winning 1-0 at DW Stadium on Dec. 22 thanks to Mikael Arteta's conversion from the spot in the 60th minute. Wigan won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season, ending a six-match losing streak in league play in London and an eight-match skid there across all competitions.
Arsene Wenger spoke to the media ahead of the vital game. Wenger on Wigan: "Both teams have to go for it, so it is difficult to know what will happen.It should be an open game. You could see on Saturday that Wigan have quality. They had a remarkable game. We want to be at our best. Both teams have to go for it on Tuesday, it's a huge game for both of us. Two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands. Today it is. So let's finish the job."
Match Facts Via BBC
The Gunners are the form team in the division. They are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, earning 20 points during that period (W6, D2).
They have won all five fixtures against the current bottom three so far this season.
Arsenal must win their last two games to guarantee Champions League qualification. However, they failed to win either of last season's corresponding fixtures against their remaining opponents - losing 2-1 at home to Wigan and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United.
There has been 65 goals scored at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this season, more than at any other stadium.
The club have conceded 22 goals at home this season, eight more than they have conceded away.
If Arsenal fail to get all three points against Wigan Tuesday evening at the Emirates, especially at this crucial time, it won't be an understatement to say the Gunners do not deserve the qualify for the Champions League.
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