I would like to see Arshavin playing in a more central attacking role as he did against Aston Villa earlier in the season when he switched with Rosicky but I am not sure if he is trusted to help the two central

It certainly is a strange feeling watching your side play on the Monday to be then talking about the next game on Wednesday evening, but this is the English Premier League around the Christmas period, the games come thick and fast and you have to deal with it. I suppose beating Chelsea convincingly is always a very good way to prepare for the next game so hopefully the players will be full of confidence .
With so much energy being used by the players on Monday, I would expect Arsene to ring in the changes. Playing two games in two days is bad enough but once you put in the kind of shift that our players did, it would be dangerous and almost suicidal to ask too many of those players to repeat the trick.

Luckily for Arsene, he has been working on developing a strong squad over the last few years, something that has taken the customary pundit a while to figure out. It must be difficult to shake off the repeated mantra of Arsenal lack the strength in depth of a Chelsea or Manchester United. When it has been as clear as day that injuries have often blocked our route to success.

Cesc Fabregas is out of the game due to picking up one booking too many. It will be interesting which player takes up that attacking midfield spot in the team. I would usually expect Tomas Rosicky to occupy that position in Cesc’s absence but it depends on his selection for the right side if Arshavin does return to the left forward position.

As Arsene is weary of playing Johan Djourou too much too soon after a season out with, yes you’ve guessed it, injury. I imagine that Squillaci will come back into the side probably alongside Koscielny.

I am plumping for Theo Walcott to regain his starting place in the side as he came off with almost twenty minutes to spare, he also hasn’t played a great deal of football of late.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Andrey Arshavin

The Russian has always been on the team sheet in the big games so it will be very interesting to see how he responds to being dropped.

I would like to see Arshavin playing in a more central attacking role as he did against Aston Villa earlier in the season when he switched with Rosicky but I am not sure if he is trusted to help the two central midfielders behind him as Cesc and Rosicky do.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Wigan 0 Arsenal 2 (Chamakh, Diaby)

Whatever team puts on the red and white shirt this evening, the same energy and commitment needs to be applied. We all remember what happened the last time we travelled to Wigan.

After finally beating Chelsea, we can lay another ghost to rest by destroying the memory of that shocking afternoon.

With Manchester United conceding a late goal at Birmingham to manage only a point for their efforts, this evening gives us a real chance to close the gap at the top.

COME ON ARSENAL!!