The Latics had to win to maintain any realistic hope of avoiding the drop on the final day but couldn't manage it on a wet night in North London, going down 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski scores against Wigan on May 14, 2013 © PA Photos

Early on Santi Cazorla headed just wide for the home side before they went ahead just after the 10-minute mark.

Cazorla floated over a corner and it beat a group of players at the near post before bouncing in front of Lukas Podolski, who squatted to head high into the net.

Wigan came back into the match after the half-hour mark and they had their equaliser just before half time when Shaun Maloney won a free kick and took it himself. The Scot's firm strike with the instep got up and over the wall and just inside Wojciech Szczesny's left-hand post.

Wigan's Shaun Maloney celebrates an equaliser against Arsenal on May 14, 2013 © PA Photos

Moments after the interval Wigan had the chance to go ahead when Callum McManaman danced past a couple of challenges and squeezed the ball through to Arouna Kone, who was kept out by a sprawling Szczesny.

Two minutes later Wigan had the ball in the net but James McCarthy was correctly flagged offside.

The second half had started at a frantic pace and Arsenal were the next to go close as Cazorla was twice denied by Joel Robles before Tomas Rosicky smashed the loose ball wide.

The Gunners went close to retaking the lead again when Theo Walcott's deep cross found Kieran Gibbs, who dinked it back in for Podolski but his header was straight at Robles.

Five minutes later the hosts did have a second as Cazorla crossed low for Walcott, who beat Robles to the ball to poke home.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott watches the ball go in over Wigan's Joel on May 14, 2013 © PA Photos

It was three soon after when Cazorla picked up a hat-trick of assists, heading it through for Podolski to lob in his second after Paul Scharner had played the German onside.

Wigan were fielding the same side that managed to beat Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup final just three days ago and they looked a desolate outfit when Arsenal made it four two minutes later.

Aaron Ramsey sprinted clear down the left and although Podolski was waiting in the middle for his hat-trick, the Welshman took it on himself and beat Robles at his near post, with Cazorla again picking up the assist.

The defeat leaves Wigan four points adrift of safety in 18th place with just one game remaining - against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Arsenal, meanwhile, move back above rivals Tottenham Hotspur and into the top four. If the Gunners win at Newcastle United on Sunday, then they will qualify for the Champions League.