Recent clashes point to second successive Arsenal away win

Arsenal’s semi-convincing win over Reading last time out has done little to change the fact that they’re still desperate for points and, with Wigan loitering in the perilous pre-Christmas position everyone at the DW Stadium has grown accustomed to, defeat is not an option when the sides meet next.

Goals have become a staple of this fixture in recent seasons with both sides governed by advocates of expansive, passing football whilst indulging their penchant for comedy defenders/goalkeepers. Although Arsenal haven’t always relished the trip to this part of the world, they have enjoyed clashes with the Latics, by and large, hence their 8/11 favouritism.

The north Londoners have won eight of the last 12 renewals and seven of these have been without concession.

Given the sorry state of affairs that is Arsenal’s back line at the moment, you’d probably expect the 9/4 for them to win to nil in Lancashire to be a couple of shades beefier, yet history suggests that if they are to record a third successive Premier League win for the first time this season, it will be without Wojciech Szczesny being beaten.

Three of their seven Premier League wins this season have been supplemented with a clean sheet too, while only Manchester City and Chelsea are the only sides to keep the Latics at bay at the DW this campaign.

An inability to keep their adversaries quiet has been the root cause of Wigan’s problems this season, not a failure to find the back of the net, which provides a solid argument against backing the away win to nil.

They have allowed their opponents two goals or more in each of their last seven and, against teams of Arsenal’s attacking prowess, this is sure to prove fatal once more. Reading will attest to the fact that if you don’t defend properly against the Gunners then they’ll bag a hatful, but if you put some pressure on them then you’re sure to get some change out of them.

For Roberto Martinez’s sides’ defensive foundering to continue here and Arsenal to notch over 2.5 goals by themselves for the second road game running a price of 2/1 can be had.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date