Arsenal bounce back in style with Wigan win

Arsenal bounced back from last week’s traumatic 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 fourth in stoppage time as Arsene Wenger’s side turned on the style at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal?s players had been left nursing a few bruises and damaged egos after their 4-2 defeat at Eastlands.

But they made amends here and sent out a clear signal that they intend to be part of the title race this season.

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 claimed that fightback would give his side a significant confidence boost and that appeared vindicated here as they cruised past a below-par Wigan side.

Arsenal were without their first choice goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, who is suffering from a chest infection, while Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin was also sidelined by a groin problem.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez stuck with the side that had beaten West Ham last weekend but must have wondered if he had erred as Arsenal quickly assumed control before 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.

It was no less than the home side deserved having already generated chances for van Persie, William Gallas and Abou Diaby to open the scoring.

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 the Ivory Coast international dragged his shot well wide when he should have hit the target.

That miss provided the necessary spark to get Wigan back into this match as they enjoyed their best spell of pressure five minutes before half-time.

Hugo Rodallega did his best to outmuscle the impressive Vermaelen while Mohamed Diame was only denied a clear shot at goal by a last-ditch tackle by Bacary Sagna.

Van Persie squandered another chance in first half stoppage time. The Wigan defence were nowhere to be seen when he chested down Fabregas? free-kick but despite his acrobatic kick, he was unable to hit the target, while Eduardo failed to slide home the follow up.

Arsenal resumed control after the break and it was no surprise when 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 looked shaky and a third goal was duly conceded after Eduardo sprinted forward and unleashed a low shot which beat Kirkland only to strike the upright.

The ball rebounded into the box and the Croatia striker slotted past a static Wigan defence, although the strike took a deflection off Eboue on the way over the line.

Wigan thought they had scored an unlikely consolation when Jason Scotland?s effort found its way to fellow sub Paul Scharner.

The Austrian defender thumped the ball past Vito Mannone but saw his effort chalked off for offside.

Fabregas completed the scoring late on when he turned in Nicklas Bendtner?s cross at the near post with a neat finish.