This one looks easy for Arsenal, perhaps too easy. Having breezed past West Ham and – in the FA Cup – Leeds, Arsène Wenger's side would appear to be in the right frame of remind to offer the Emirates a repetition of last season's 4-0 frolic against a Wigan team with only four league wins this season and facing another struggle to stay up. Nevertheless, Roberto Martínez's defence is proving more resilient on its travels, conceding eight goals fewer than at the DW Stadium, and Arsenal will not want to squander too many chances while the home fans again grow restless. David Lacey

Venue Emirates Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Arsenal 4 Wigan 0

Referee Kevin Friend

This season's matches 8 Y22, R1, 2.88 cards per game Odds Arsenal 1-4 Wigan 16-1 Draw 9-2

Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Arsenal

Subs from Shea, Eboué, Gibbs, Miquel, Rosicky, Eastmod, Denílson, Chamakh, Vela, Arshavin, Bendtner

Doubtful Chamakh (knee), Denílson (hip)

Injured Almunia (ankle, 30 Jan), Diaby (calf, 30 Jan), Fabianksi (shoulder, 30 Jan), Squillaci (hamstring, 30 Jan), Vermaelen (achilles, Mar), Frimpong (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide WDWDWL

Disciplinary record Y37 R5

Leading scorer Nasri 9

Wigan

Subs from Kirkland, Pollitt, Di Santo, Gómez, Boyce, S Caldwell, McArthur, Golobart, McManaman, Mustoe, López

Doubtful Kirkland (concussion)

Injured Cleverley (hamstring, 29 Jan), McCarthy (shoulder, 29 Jan), Moses (shoulder, 29 Jan)

Suspended None

Form guide DDLDWD

Disciplinary record Y38 R3

Leading scorer Rodallega 6

Match pointers

• There have been five goals scored in the 89th minute or later in the past four top-flight meetings of the sides

• Wigan have failed to score in their last five visits to Arsenal in all competitions

• Since August 2007, Robin van Persie has hit the bar or post more regularly than any other player – once every 452 minutes on average

• Wigan have won fewer corners (86) than any other side in the division

• All five penalties Arsenal have been awarded in the league this season have been taken by a different player