Wigan Athletic host Arsenal at the DW Stadium to kick off the weekend's Premier League fixtures, with Roberto Martinez's side continuing their attempts to move out of the relegation zone.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 12.45 pm GMT, with Sky Sports 3 providing live coverage in the UK. You can watch highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.25 pm GMT.

Arsenal
Reuters

Overview

The Gunners have suffered yet another below par start to the season but the players eased some of the pressure on Arsene Wenger with the 5-2 hammering of Reading last week. Playmaker Santi Cazorla scored a hat-trick in that game, taking his season's tally to seven goals and also making him Arsenal's top scorer.

The north London outfit are fifth in the league table, with 27 points from 17 games, just two behind derby rivals Tottenham.

The Latics, on the other hand, have managed just 15 points so far and are in the drop zone (18th). Martinez, who succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Norwich City last week, will be desperate to bounce back and get some points on the board, as they look to climb out of relegation.

The last time these two sides met (April 2012), Wigan beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates, a result that was crucial to their survival in the Premier League.

Form Guide

Wigan Athletic

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L D L L W
  • Last Match: Norwich City 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic

Arsenal

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W D W L L
  • Last Match: Reading 2 - 5 Arsenal

Team News

Wigan Athletic: No other Premier League manager has more injury worries than Martinez at the moment. James McCarthy is likely to miss the match after he picked up an ankle injury last week, as are fellow midfielders Ben Watson and Albert Crusat. Meanwhile, winger Ryo Miyaichi is ineligible to face his parent club. At the back, Antolin Alcaraz (groin) has been ruled out till the New Year, while Piscu (hamstring) could be sidelined for 10 weeks. Fellow defenders Ivan Ramis and Gary Caldwell are also doubtful going into this crunch clash.

Probable Starting Line-up: Al-Habsi; Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa; Stam, McCarthy, McCarthur, Beausejour; Gomez; Kone, Di Santo

Arsenal: Wenger has no fresh injury concerns for this trip. Abou Diaby (thigh) and Lukasz Fabianski (ankle) remain sidelined, while Andre Santos (stomach) will also miss this match. Olivier Giroud (back) has returned and is ready to start the game but it appears Theo Walcott, who led the attack and scored at the Madjeski last week, will get one more chance up front.

Probable Starting Line-up: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Walcott

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