A Mikel Arteta penalty in the second half was enough for Arsenal to take all three points against Wigan Athletic in the Premier League this lunchtime.

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta shoots from the penalty spot on December 22, 2012 © PA Photos

Arsenal were dominant in the opening minutes of the game, but Wigan played their way into the match in an even first half.

Both sides missed chances in the opening 45 minutes, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain forcing a save from Ali Al-Habsi before Arouna Kone scuffed a shot wide at the other end.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wigan Athletic's Jean Beausejour on December 22, 2012 © PA Photos

The Gunners started the second half brightly, Theo Walcott with a strike in the opening minutes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute when Walcott was brought down in the Wigan area.

Arteta stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Al-Habsi the wrong way to put Arsenal ahead.

Mikel Arteta celebrates scoring with Jack Wilshere on December 22, 2012 © PA Photos

The referee angered the DW Stadium crowd when he ordered Franco di Santo off the pitch to remove an earring, leaving the home side down to 10 men for several minutes.

Kone had a chance to level the scores in the 70th minute with a powerful effort on the Arsenal goal, Wojciech Szczesny having to make a good save to keep the ball out.

Ronnie Stam looked to set up the Ivorian again, but Per Mertesacker was on hand to put the ball out for a corner, which eventually resulted in a goal kick for Arsenal.

Jordi Gomez came on as a late substitute for the home side, and could have been awarded a penalty after his cross into the box seemed to catch Kieran Gibbs on the arm, but the referee waved away Wigan's appeals.

The win moves Arsenal up to third, although Chelsea and Tottenham both have games in hand over their London rivals, while Wigan remain in the bottom three.