Shaun Maloney scored a free kick just before the interval to bring Wigan Athletic level against Arsenal this evening in a crucial Premier League game for both sides at a soggy Emirates Stadium.
© PA Photos
The Gunners took control of the match early on and almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Theo Walcott crossed for Santi Cazorla, whose stooping header zipped just wide.
Just four minutes later the home side were ahead. Cazorla floated over a corner and it beat a host of red and black shirts and then bounced in front of Lukas Podolski, who headed high into the net.
Wigan were struggling to even get a shot in on goal and it was Arsenal who almost doubled their lead when Aaron Ramsey shot wide.
Moments later and Arouna Kone was almost picked out for the visitors but Lauren Koscielny just about got his foot in the way to clear.
After the half-hour mark Wigan started to venture more and more into the Arsenal half, with Shaun Maloney winning free kicks and skipping past challenges. The Scottish winger cut inside Bacary Sagna but saw his shot blocked.
Then in the 45th minute Maloney won a free kick and took it himself, hitting the ball with his instep up and over the wall and inside Wojciech Szczesny's left-hand post.
If Wigan lose tonight, then relegation will be guaranteed, while a draw will require a miraculous goal difference on the final day and a win will leave their fate in their own hands.
Arsenal need a win to move back above arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur and into the top four.
Pascal Lemesre
