With only 10 more mins on the clock, Arsenal were looking edgy, nervously looking towards that mid-week match against Villareal. But then as they say, its never over until its over, and Arsenal produced a scintillating late surge of three goals in the last 10 mins to win the game 1-4 to put the JJB in complete silence by the time the full time whistle blew.
Arsenal started the day looking to further consolidate their fourth place. But it was anything but consolidation as a rampant Wigan set about destroying a shaky and inexperienced Arsenal back 4. Arsenal never really looked comfortable and Wigan took a first half lead thanks to Mido, whose shot could only be parried into the net by stand in keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
The other stand in players for Arsenal also had poor first half's. Center Half, Johann Djourou was injured and in came Micheal Silvestre, while the stand in Left Back, Kieran Gibbs, probably should have been sent off for a last man offense, but only received an yellow for his troubles.
Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenal's much maligned striker, had the best chance for the men in red in the first half, but promptly put his header from six yards out so wide that Kirkland did not even bother to move.
Wigan could have doubled their advantage just before the break, but the post came to the rescue from a brilliant Ben Watson free-kick. The second half started with no sides bothering to change their personnel.
Arsenal upped the ante from the start and there were some tiring Wigan legs. As Robin Van Persie was preparing to come on, teenager, Theo Walcott put the visitors level with a smashing shot from 7 yards after being put through from Andrei Arshavin. In came Persie for the off colour Denilson, and Arsenal had found their passing game atlast.
Adebayor came on for the goal-scorer Walcott, and Arsenal had their tails buzzing. Clever work down the right, saw Cesc finding Silvestre with a clever pass, and the Frenchman did not need a second invitation to put Arsenal ahead from inside the six-yard box. The attacks were coming from everywhere and Wigan's defense were threatening to burst at the seams.
Arsenal thought they had a third from Van Persie, but the dutchmen was offside, following up from Arshavin's show which rebounded from the post. But they would have their third, when an excellent counter coupled with a mis-understanding in the Wigan defense allowed Arshavin to slot the ball home and Kirkland was rooted to the spot.
It was pretty much a case of damage limitation now for Wigan but a rampant Arsenal were not to be denied a fourth. Alex Song weaved his magic, dancing through the Wigan defense, before stroking the ball past a hapless Kirkland.
Arsene Wenger would be happy that his side would now be confident of facing the Yellow Submarines with their tails up. Arsenal have now moved nine points clear of Aston Villa, who entertain Everton in the late game on Sunday.
By Saumeet Nanda
The Arsene Wenger era.
The young bespectacled French manager came to Arsenal at took the reins of Arsenal in the beginning of an extremely momentous period. The period when English Premier League was going to get really popular all over the world, especially in Asian countries thanks to the widespread television coverage. And the beautiful football the gunners have played under Arsene Wenger has won the club millions of admirers from all over the world.
Being one of the aforementioned millions who fell in love with Arsenal thanks to TV coverage, I am really in no position to comment on pre-Wenger Arsenal. Though the likes of Liam Brady, Kenny Samson, Pat Rice, David O'Leary are players of great stature in the club's history and there are the Champion teams of the thirties under Herbert Chapman, the Arsenal that I have come to love is the Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. And the football players I love are those who took our club to great heights in these Wenger years. The following are the pick of the players under Wenger who get to make it to the Best 11 under Arsene Wenger.
GK - David Seaman: Unquestionably the best English Goalkeeper
when Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal and years afterwards, David Seaman is perhaps the most straightforward of the picks for being the best goalkeeper under Wenger. Seaman was ever reliable whether guarding the Arsenal or England goals. Despite conceding the infamous Ronaldinho free kick, the pony tailed Goalie is still one player the English national team is finding it hard replacing, five years after his retirement. 
DL - Ashley Cole: I know that Ashley Cole is a money hungry cunt and the complete opposite of the Nigel Winterburn in terms of loyalty. But man, could he play football! He was THE prodigy in his Arsenal days, the lad we hoped to cheer for years to come. His commitment was immense. A fighter in defense and a natural at attack, Cole never really achieved the potential he had or reproduce his dazzling form at Stamford Bridge. While Arsenal churn out one world class left back after another, some of us still keep wondering how good he could have been had he still been with us. It would be a great day for Arsenal, when Ashley Cole would be regarded as an England second choice to Keiran Gibbs.DC - Sol Campbell: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, the two defenders our rival
s go gaga over had nothing on Sol Campbell during his glory days at Arsenal and Jamie Carragher wasn't even in the picture. Sol was scary as a defender for he was powerful, fast, tall, agile and had great technical skills as well. Nemanja Vidic is the only central defender this season in Premier League who reminds me of Sol of the invincible season. Only defender who was as good as him in his hey days was the great Dutch Jaap Stam whose sale was the mistake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s life. The very fact that he didn’t cost us a penny and was the Spurs captain before made his stay even more enjoyable. Sol Campbell was a defender who could scare any opponent.
DC - Tony Adams: Captain fantastic. Mr. Arsenal. A true Arsenal legend. Though he would serve Wenger only in his twilight years, the Arsenal captain was perhaps the only figure in the club whose stature could parallel Wenger and he channelized this respect perfectly to lift the team. A captain at 21, Tony Adams picked up multitude of trophies and is certainly the best leader in the whole history of Arsenal football club.DR - Lee Dixon: The only pundit we all love, Lee Dixon was nearing the end of his career when
Wenger arrived. But thanks to the dietary and training changes brought about by the Frenchman, the career of seemingly the nicest guy of the legendary back four, got elongated by at least three to four years. We all know Wenger works well with young players. But one has to look at the case of Dixon and co. to understand what he can do for old players as well. Dixon was a pivotal element in our 1998 double winning campaign and a club legend for his loyalty and commitment.
ML - Robert Pires: Talented beyond belief and the best player in the world in his position for about four years or so, Pires not only had the attributes required to make a great winger but was the best fox in the box Wenger has ever had. Talking about wingers scoring lots of goals, we think of Ronaldo. But the man who started it all is Robert Pires. The way he and Henry terrorized teams on the left flank and the partnership he had with Cole were at times mesmerizing. A terror to Spuds against whom he played especially well, Robert Pires was a truly great player and personality.MC - Patrick Vieira: Who took on the bully Keane and gave him a taste of his o
wn medicine? Our own Vieira. A player with tremendous stamina and energy, Vieira was not only one of the best tacklers in the premiership, but had great vision and passing range as well. But for Steven Gerrard, Vieira is probably the best central mid-fielder ever to have graced the Premier League. An opponent’s nightmare, Vieira always gave one hundred percent. Whether it was a title decider against United or a FA cup match against a lower league opponent, the inspirational captain of the invincible team always played like his life was on line.MC - Cesc Fabregas: Only player in the current squad making my list is 21 years old
Catalonian Cesc Fabregas. Last time a twenty one year old became the club captain, he lead Arsenal to 10 trophies including two Premier League trophies. Cesc Fabregas showed incredible maturity and talent from his very early days. Amazing creativity, peerless range of passing and composure beyond years are some of the hallmarks of this Spanish World Cupper at 18 and Euros winner at 21. The intelligence and coolness he displays in his off the field comments and the passion for the club displayed at the same time during the matches where he is unafraid to take on the likes of Ballack or Cole makes it doubly clear that this kid is special. People link him to Barca every year. But I say Cesc is a classier person than some other talents we've had so far. Something in my heart says, he'll be the greatest player Arsenal ever had. MR - Freddy Ljungberg: Though he was flashing with brilliance at one stage and couldn't
really maintain his amazing levels, he's still the best right midfielder to have played for Wenger at Arsenal. His astounding form in 2001-02 season was pivotal to Arsenal's double victory. Like Pires, the explosive Swedish player was always scoring in double digits in his days at Arsenal. The outstanding pace and acceleration along with his eye for goal of the Swedish who once sported orange hair has left many a great defenders red faced.FC - Dennis Bergkamp: This guy might be the reason why so many people in the Indian sub-
continent and all over Asia and Africa are Arsenal fans today. The most beautiful footballer to watch., Bergkamp’s game were filled with delightful chips, deft touches, blinding vision and he could use all of these abilities in one swift and deadly move. When Dennis Bergkamp had his good days, he was at another level. Even opponents couldn’t help enjoying the unique and rare brand of football Bergkamp provided. The only thing I can say about him is that it is better not to try and describe him in words for you'll always be doing him an injustice whilst attempting it. He's a player who is to be seen to be believed.FC - Thierry Henry: Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is arguably the greatest player ever to
have played in premier league till today. Little did anyone envisage that the French winger Wenger bought from Juventus could turn into the best striker in the world for quite some time.He could score great goals. He could score tap ins. He could score in the biggest of stages. He could score in the most unimportant of games. He could score against the greatest teams. He could score against the weakest of teams. He could score one every match. He could score three in matches as well. Pace, physically strength, great finishing, brilliant technical skills, immense confidence and a degree of arrogance that is found so commonly in people who are truly special, Thierry Henry was the most complete striker of the decade.
Despite his heart-breaking departure from Arsenal, the joy that Henry gave the Arsenal fans by scoring goals on all possible occasions(except for the Champions’ League finals) is something we would never forget. Even today, I jump with joy when I see Henry scoring for Barcelona. And even today, a touch of class is apparent in the arrogant composure with which he curls the ball round the goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Best of luck, Thierry Henry. I hope we play him in Champion's league final one day and beat his team.