Wigan spike Arsenal’s guns

Arsenal missed chance to go second in Premier League after failing to protect lead in 2-2 draw away to Wigan.

LONDON: Arsenal missed the chance to go second in the Premier League after failing to protect a lead in a 2-2 draw away to Wigan Athletic. Meanwhile, Chelsea returned to the top-four and ended a six-game winless streak after a 1-0 victory to Bolton.

Two goals in six minutes near the end of the first half from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner saw the Gunners recover after Ben Watson had put Wigan ahead from the penalty spot. Wigan levelled the score in the 81st minute when Arsenal’s Sebastien Squillaci turned a header from Hugo Rodallega into his own net.

Chelsea were booed off at half-time but the jeers became cheers just after the hour mark when Malouda turned in a Didier Drogba cross at the far post. Victory left Chelsea four points behind United.

Wolverhampton moved off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win away to Liverpool, the club’s first win over Roy Hodgson’s side in 26 years. “The fans have left angry and that’s understandable,” said Hodgson.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.