Arsenal bounced back from last week's defeat at Manchester City with centreback Thomas Vermaelen scoring twice in a 4-0 stroll against Wigan.
Arsenal bounced back from last week's defeat at Manchester City with centreback Thomas Vermaelen scoring twice in a 4-0 stroll against Wigan.
Croatia international Eduardo claimed the third although the ball found the net via a deflection off Emmanuel Eboue and Cesc Fabregas notched a fourthu00a0 as Arsene Wenger's side turned won in style.
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Up in the air! Arsenal's Belgian player Thomas Vermaelen (right, jersey No 5) heads to score the first of his two goals against Wigan Athletic during an English Premiership match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. Arsenal won 4-0. pic/AFP |
Arsenal's players had been left nursing a few bruises and damaged egos after their 4-2 defeat at Eastlands, but made amends here. Wenger saw his side outplayed in Manchester and then suffer a scare in midweek when they were forced to overturn an early two-goal deficit to beat Standard Liege 3-2 in the Champions League.
The Frenchman had said that a fightback would give his side a significant confidence boost and that appeared vindicated here as beat Wigan.
Arsenal were without first choice goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, who has a chest infection, while Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin was also sidelined by a groin problem.
The Gunners quickly assumed control as Vermaelen headed them in front midway through the opening period.
The Belgium international was unmarked in the Wigan box as he rose to nod in Robin van Persie's corner.
Eboue should have made it 2-0 in the 35th minute when he was played in by van Persie with only Chris Kirkland to beat, but he shot wide.
Arsenal resumed control after the break and Vermaelen made it 2-0 in the 49th minute. The defender picked up the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Eboue before calmly lofting the ball past Kirkland.
Wigan conceded a third as Eduardo unleashed a low shot which beat Kirkland only to strike the upright.u00a0 The ball rebounded into the box and the Croatia striker slotted past a static Wigan defence.
Fabregas completed the scoring late on when he turned in Nicklas Bendtner's cross at the near post with a neat finish.
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