Like everyone else, I watched the Wigan-Arsenal match and thought that this was the perfect game for the Gunners to capitalise and moved back to within three points of Chelsea. In the first half and three minutes of the second half, everything was going according to script for Arsene Wenger's team.
Perhaps it was confidence, perhaps arrogance, perhaps inexperience and indisciplined but what transpired was Arsenal allowed Wigan to take over and dominate the match at two goals down. Wigan duly obliged and smashed Arsenal's title hopes to pieces. The outstanding performers in the Wigan side were Ben Watson, Victor Moses and Charles N'Zogbia. It has to be THE comeback story of the 2009/2010 Barclays Premier League season!
All three will need extra attention this Saturday from the West Ham defence.
Ben Watson, in his first start for Wigan, had a superb outing. He was to blame for Silvestre's goal but made up with his 80th minute goal which started the Wigan revival. He looks to be a talented midfielder with the ability to ghost into the penalty box and score. His midfield runs will need to be checked by Radoslav Kovac.
West Ham's incompetence along the flanks will be fully exploited if Roberto Martinez chooses to unleash his speed merchants, Moses and N'Zogbia.
N'Zogbia has been in excellent form all season at Wigan, discarding his image as a troublemaker at Newcastle. Five goals and six assists have helped the Wigan cause. Once a target for Arsene Wenger, this Le Havre product will need some close eagle-eye watching.
Victor Moses have long been admired and was regarded as one of the best players outside of the Premiership. Liverpool was rumoured to have enquired about him before he went to Wigan in search of first team Premiership action. Possesses excellent close control and immense pace, he has far more potential to succeed than Theo Walcott. Moses seemed to have the build to deal with the physical demands of Premiership football.
All three players have shown what they are capable of against Arsenal. This video (@3.23 when Wigan scored their first goal) illustrates their growing influence on the Arsenal game last Sunday.
Steve Clarke was at the DW Stadium and should have seen first-hand just how dangerous this trio can be if they are allowed to influence the crunch match this Saturday. They must be contained at all cost or West Ham will suffer a devastating defeat that could spell the end of their Premiership status.
Steve Clarke was at the DW Stadium and should have seen first-hand just how dangerous this trio can be if they are allowed to influence the crunch match this Saturday. They must be contained at all cost or West Ham will suffer a devastating defeat that could spell the end of their Premiership status.
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