LONDON: Wigan Athletic added to last week’s surprise victory over Premier League leaders Manchester United by beating third-place Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates on Monday.
Two early goals turned out to be enough for Roberto Martinez’s side to pull off an even more unexpected success which significantly improves their chances of avoiding relegation. The Latics are now five points clear of third-bottom Bolton Wanderers, who have two games in hand, in a five-team tussle to avoid the drop.
The result was a blow to Arsene Wenger’s hopes of holding off Tottenham and Newcastle’s challenges and qualify for the Champions League in third place. Had they won, they would have been eight points clear of both rivals, who now each have a game in hand with which to lessen a five-point gap.
Wenger fury at ‘disrespectful’ Wigan
Wenger, meanwhile, accused Wigan goal-keeper Ali Al-Habsi of ‘disrespectful’ time-wasting.
Wenger was often an animated figure on the touchline during the game as Al-Habsi repeatedly delayed goal-kicks. The Oman international was booked in the final minute by referee Andre Marriner but Wenger was convinced that should have occurred much earlier.
“I told the fourth official ‘you know what - he will do it the whole game’ because he did it after 10 minutes and with three minutes to go he gets a yellow card,” said Wenger. “It’s disrespectful, frankly, to people who pay big money to watch a game. We didn’t play well and we are sorry but the referee did not act on that and it is not at all right.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2012.
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