A Wigan side, fresh from defeating the Premier League Champions elect, took advantage of a crazy ninety or so seconds of defensive chaos in the Arsenal backline to plunder two quick goals and then sat back for the last eighty minutes of the game to gain a win that eased their relegation fears.
Even before kick off an uncomfortably cold evening was made to feel more awkward by Arsenal kicking towards the North Bank in the first half, rather than in the second half which is the usual choice of ends, presumably because Robin lost the toss.
Wigan brought the smallest traveling contingent I’d ever seen, so small only one block was allocated for them, something I’d never seen at Ashburton Grove in the 50 or so matches I’ve been to there.
Did you come in a minibus ?
Forget the talk of Wigan playing expansive attacking football – because, bizarrely, Al Habsi in the Wigan goal was resorting to time wasting within a few minutes of the start, at nil nil even! An ominous portend of what was to follow (and be allowed by referee Mariner).
A few early chances came our way and, as you’d expect, it seemed like Al Habsi was going to have another game of his life against us as he clawed away two goal bound shots.
Sitting slightly to the right of the goal and behind the Clock end I could see all was not right with the right half of the back line – Sagna seemed to be running in cement whenever Moses ran at him and his powers of anticipation, usually so accurate, had deserted him and there seemed to be a lack of communication with Djourou.
For that reason when the first Wigan attack came down our left flank Sagna was easily outpaced and the resulting cross led to an easy tap in, on the second attempt, for Di Santo, the number 9 who then ran to the corner of the Clock end and East stand to give the home crowd the finger.
Classy stuff.
Unfortunately it was Sagna again who was turned inside out from the second Wigan attack of the game and another foray down our right flank by Wigan led to a partially blocked shot from Gomez which looped up and fell perfectly in front of him to prod into an open net.
Chesney was incensed with his defenders, Djourou and Sagna in particular, so much so that Song had to step in to cool the Pole’s temper with the crowd sensing a two goal lead may not be surmountable this time.
Straight after the second goal Arteta was subbed off so it may seem that our midfield shape had gone in the time Arteta was off the pitch which caused the two Wigan attacks to be so damaging.
Arteta’s replacement Ramsey came on then he, and the rest of his team, were confronted with the prospect of ten men behind the ball and elaborate time wasting for the remainder of the game.
There has been criticism of Ramsey for his slowing down/sideways passing but to my eyes playing against two banks of four he retained possession well and had no choice but to pass sideways when there were no forward options on as the Lancastrian bus was parked firmly in front of Al Habsi’s goal.
Where I was sitting there appeared to be no one getting on Ramsey’s back for the handful of misplaced passes with the crowd’s ire being reserved for the awful timewasting by Wigan, like every re-start taking an age and excessive deliberation about who would take each throw in/free kick.
It became apparent as the first half drew on Marriner was not going to take any action against time wasting and his inconsistent approach with what was a foul drew his competency into question.
Sadly he seemed very eager to blow for every tiny foul against us but let Wigan fouls go unpunished – Sagna was booked for his first foul, and one only in the centre circle, while things like Wigan players climbing and tumbling over Arsenal defenders (Djourou was used as a climbing frame by Wigan forwards on more than one occasion) was ignored.
Despite being hampered by an officious and one sided approach by the referee and timewasting by Wigan, the Verminator pulled a goal back for the good guys with a towering header that the Ashburton Grove faithful were hopeful would start a fight back, while the disjointed Arsenal midfield permitted a few more attacks and corners for Wigan.
Defending a rare Wigan corner
Arsenal pressed on till half time but had few chances, a couple of Benayoun headers and a Rosicky shot skied over after a neat one two with Robin, and the first half finished with a sense of anxiety building in the crowd.
Half time brought a few boos for Gazidis as he came pitch side for a presentation ceremony, perhaps his perceived part in last summer’s transfer window fiasco has not been forgotten by all Gooners.
As expected Arsenal started the second half with a sense of urgency but as it became apparent the combination of Wigan timewasting and ten men behind the ball meant it was going to take something special to unlock the massed blue and white defence.
Additionally Marriner’s willingness to give virtually every decision he could to the away side was beginning to grate more and more.
For example a shove on Theo as he drove into the penalty area was not even called for a foul, even though it seemed a DOGSO and therefore a penalty/red card to me while an innocuous trip by Song was a yellow.
As if to confirm how much Marriner was rooting for Wigan, he even put his arm around their number 16 consolingly, proof of how friendly he was with Wigan. This was after he awarded another soft foul against Arsenal as if to say…”there, there, we won’t let those nasty boys from Arsenal stop you getting your moment of glory…”
Even the introduction of the Ox and Gervinho to provide more attacking options didn’t provide any more chances; Gervinho worryingly looked a shadow of the player who was skinning defenders for fun earlier in the season.
As time started to run out Marriner finally remembered he could book players for time wasting, but by then regular time was almost up and Wigan had got the result they wanted assisted by the time wasting by then anyway.
As the final whistle blew the handful of Wigan fans present began to sing that they were staying up and the Arsenal players beat a hasty retreat off the pitch.
Some may complain that they didn’t stay to applaud the crowd much, but if they felt as half as devastated as I did seeing three points slip away I could hardly blame them, although some may rightly feel they should always applaud the crowd.
A slightly more fussy stewarding regime seemed to be in operation as I saw an Arsenal fan ejected for bringing a bottle of Corona to his seat (yes, a fairly dumb thing to do anyway) and another steward spending all the first half picking out anyone using cameras – hence the lack of many pictures this time.
While third place is still in our hands we have made it more difficult for ourselves with this defeat, however our club needs the fans to get behind them now more than ever.
UTA! (twitter @charybdis1966)
Thanks for that Chary. I was just so frustrated watching this match. I couldn’t tell if it was at Arsenal or the referee or Wigan or all three. Probably the latter I guess. Wigan’s time wasting was the worst I’ve seen, but that was only so frustrating because we let them get a 2 goal lead to defend. Which they did very well, although in some part aided and abetted by the referee. What do you expect when Mike Riley apologises to Wigan and Martinez for the offside goal against Chelsea? Wigan were hard done by then, so they get a personal apology? What about the times it’s happened to us? Sigh. It’s just… depressing. We need to be better against Chelsea. We are of course, capable of just that. Even with Mike Dean in charge again.
Once Wigan went 2 nil up it gave them license to sit back and slow the gmae down. We must take a lot of the blame but the fact that Woigan were fighting for their survival meant they were a helluva a lot more focussed and determined than our guys.
As you say, though, it makes the Chav game all the more important.
It was very pleasing though to hear the crowd chant ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ at the referee when he didn’t think it was a foul that Djourou was used as a step ladder (or climbing frame as you put it). It was a strange one with Arsenal. We started off passing the ball about like we meant business and were focused and I was just thinking, ok, we’re good, the players are keyed in. A few minutes later, we’re not just 1, but 2 goals down. That was just strange how we switched off. Sagna having a poor game was also weird. I mean that just doesn’t happen, does it? I wish we could call it a one off but it isn’t. Still, going by that pattern we should be up for Chelsea. Damn, I wish I could go for that one. I miss being at the stadium. You’re really lucky. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.
Many thanks there, it’s easier to write up a victory than a loss but defeats are part and parcel of supporting and they make the wins that much more sweeter.
Although the atmosphere wasn’t as great as it has been lateley, no doubt influenced by the way the game was shaping the crowd still let the ref know whenever he dropped one of his many clangers/howlers.
When the Wogan players did stay on the floor to waste time I did try and get the “Same old Wigan, always cheating” chant going.
Nice report as always, Chary, I always enjoy reading them because they offer a different perspective.
I still can’t believe we actually lost the game, because even at 0:2 the pundits at the online betting places had us at 1.7 for the win, while Wigan was 3.8 to walk away with three points. I guess it says a lot about our mentality and our role as favorites.
Something for the arm chair segment: I would have brought in Chamakh instead of putting two more speedy dribblers along Walcott who time and time dribbled into a wall of Wigan defenders. Then again, Chamakh doesn’t even get a ride on the Arsenal golf cart.
You’re welcome TeamP, the guyds behind me were a bit like you in their disbelief – they couldn’t believe what they were seeing either. A horribly bad dream.
don’t know if anyone else in the US caught this but immediately after the match while the players were walking off the commentator had a go at RvP saying he was refusing to shake Caldwells hand when the live video being shown at that time was of Caldwell pushing away RvPs hand, twice!
if it’s not the refs it’s the commentators…
That could have been because almost the last action of the game was Robin chasing a cross into the Wigan penalty area that their goalie nearly spilled and he(Robin) went after it, and Caldwell squared up to Robin for daring to go for the loose ball; Robin didn’t back down(as he shouldn’t have down) and stuck his chest out to show he wasn’t scared by Caldwell and it was probably that nastiness that Caldwell carried over into the post match “Clive Allen”isms.
Of course commentators are going to paint Arsenal as the big bad bullies and little Wigan as the oppressed heroes, it generates a story(albeit based on bullshit) for them.
Yes Caldwell was making a big deal out of the fact that RVP was only offering his left hand to shake and not a “proper” right handed full handed shake. But since Robin was walking away it was the closest hand to Caldwell. People like to make a big stink about nothing. These handshake spats are getting ridiculous.
It’ so easy to be a supporter after a match like last week’s “walk in the park”. A little tougher for the fair weather fan after yesterday. But it’s the needless dropping of points when it’s time to stand up and be counted. The club needs our support more than ever. Especially as Chelsea will still be high after their spanking of Spuds.
I give full credit to Wigan. They have been giant killers 2 weeks in row now, and they deserved the win. If my club was in the drop and fortunate enough to be up 2-0 against the Arsenal AT Emirates BEFORE halftime, damn right I’d waste time. Incredibly frustrating to watch for any Gooner but a perfectly sensible thing to do. The first goal on the counter was classic Arsenal. Except it was them playing Arsenal and us playing Wigan. The 2nd goal I don’t even want to think about. And it looks like we’ve lost Arteta in the bargain.
Sigh…
The tired old sports cliches are such because they are mostly all true, and they all come into play before our next match. Take your pick: we must regroup, one game at a time, etc.
COYG!! (What else is there to say?)
A couple of post ago, I said that Ramsey’s game had too much Denilson in it and that was short hand for no forward progress in attack. Against Wigan, Ramsey to his credit did try to go forward but like the rest of the Arsenal MF he had no success. Yesterday, Ramsey showed that he also has some Arshavin in his game with a back flick in his own 1/3.
The poor ‘communication’ to get Ramsey on the pitch when Arteta left the field was inexcusable as we were down to 10 men the 2 Wigan goals.
What is the Arsenal world coming to when we are desperately waiting to get Diaby back into the fray in place of Ramsey? I am a Diaby supporter but I still find it amusing never the less.
You seem really bitter and unwilling to credit Wigan for a decent performance.
They took their goals well and survived until half time after which they were by far the better side and looked most likely to score.
As for time wasting…so what! It didn’t make any difference and nearly six minutes of added time were played anyway.
Oh yes and the boos at the final whistle. Real class. Glad I gave up my season ticket. I just watch local football now.
Cheers jax, best of luck with the local football.
Deconstructing jax: jax finds local football so absolutely riveting that he is still keeping an eye on what Arsenal is up to – even though he gave up his season ticket for reasons unknown. Although AFC are playing badly, presumably he watches the entire painful match so that he can comment on it. Then he takes more of his undoubtably valuable time to search out a pro-Arsenal blog, in order to have a moan about how Wigan has been portrayed.
Not terribly classy and certainly irrational.
seems to me Arsenal is always vulnerable in the opening 10-15 minutes. A problem of defence organization and concentration. Just hope this problem will be solved next season if the team has the ambition to challenge for title or anything.
A parked bus is never easy to crack, even for the mighty Barca or Real M. You just keep your cool and possession, and intelligence. Last night’s game, especially the second half, saw Arsenal lost that bit of patience when needed most.
For all the goals Vermallen had a hand in getting forward, it seems we concede those same goals because he isn’t back to defend a counter. Kos takes much fewer chances and we much more balanced with him.
you’re quite right. Kos was badly missed, thats also why Mert is an important defender for Arsenal as well because its highly unlikely he’ll venture far out from the his position knowing full well himself he doesn’t has the pace. I’d rather keep Kos and Mert as first choice center backs, along with Sagna and Gibbs.
I don’t understand our inconsistency at all. Is it really, as Wenger said, that we have no gas left in the tank? But then, shouldn’t Wigan as well? Aren’t we all nearing the end of the season? Actually, it seems to me we’ve had a lot of rest lately, not having to worry about the FA Cup or CL games. And we still have nothing left in the tank?
I think it’s less a matter of fatigue, and more about which team wants it more. Clearly Wigan are playing for their lives. We’re playing for third…or, rather, we sometimes look like we’re playing for third. Other days we look like we’re playing just to do the bare minimum required to stay in the top four.
Charybdis, thanks for this – it gives a different slant to the gallant little Wigan match reports that I’ve read so far. I’m with you on supporting the club, which is feeling weirdly like taking the “for better for worse” vow, only it’s a football club, not a spouse.
It’s good to see an explanation for the handshake incident too; some guy on AFC’s facebook page was having a meltdown over RvP’s supposedly “unsportsmen-like behaviour” and “how dare he? etc.” It was difficult to take seriously, even without knowing the details. Anything to stir up a tempest in a teapot.
I don’t read any other reports before I write mine so I can keep my view of the game free from being influenced by what the press has said, of course sometimes I don’t get a view that runs with the majority, but it’s what I think as I sit/stand at the match.
Thanks for reading BCS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNx5ok60U6A
To return to the subject of yesterday – diving – Gary Neville just makes the subject more complicated.
BSC
The reason I gave up my season ticket was because I moved to Somerset and wasn’t able to attend evening games as the last train home was at 8.30pm so it wasn’t financially viable to continue with it. I still come up for about 10 games a season and go to local matches at other times. I feel I’m well qualified to comment on Arsenal as I’ve been watching them since 1957, and don’t need to search out any blogs as I have them bookmarked. I criticised Chary’s report as I considered it unfair to Wigan who completely outplayed us last night.
No worries Jax, I don’t pretend to give an impartial, independent view of the match – it is through the eyes of a gooner.
Nice part of the world Somerset, I went on a tour with my cricket club years ago when I was fit enough to play, those were the days.
Thanks for reading.
My Goat Of The Game goes to the Verminator. Both goals were scored in Arteta’s absence and at 0-0 TV should have organized his defence accordingly until a substitute came on. Instead, he was bombing down field and trying to score from a corner.
I like Santos but he is a scary dude when you see him set up further up field than the midfielders and he is not overlapping.
i believe that sagna’s bad form is due to walcott’s lack involvement in game. he didn’t do enough to help the defense and even worsen it with a lot with his misplaced passings. one of the two goals is created after wigan player collected a bad pass by walcott to sagna that left sagna in awkward position. Ive been supporting walcott since we bought him years ago, i still believe that he’ll come good for us someday. i just simply believe that he does not deserve the wage that he’s demanding for his new contract. he need to develop first then you can ask for a pay rise.
”There has been criticism of Ramsey for his slowing down/sideways passing but to my eyes playing against two banks of four he retained possession well and had no choice. . . . .’
Ramsey plays the same even if he has two banks of one in front of him.
Nice report though.
That’s how it looked to me Ace – sadly by going 2 behind Wigan were given a green light to having 10 or 11 behind the ball as much as they liked and Ramsey, like most of our midfielders, had few and rare forward options.