Wigan vs. Arsenal: Complete Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

Wigan finds itself inside the relegation zone one-third of the way through the English Premier League season as the Latics prepare for a home game against Arsenal on Saturday. It's an important game for both teams, but for starkly different reasons.

After finishing three points above relegation last season, Wigan understands how important every point will be at season's end. Managing a draw against an in-form Arsenal side could be the difference between another year in the marquee division or being sent to the Championship.

As for the Gunners, they find themselves two points behind a European spot and three off the pace for a chance at the Champions League. They've been playing well since late September, rebounding nicely from a highly scrutinized summer.

Where: DW Stadium in Wigan, England

When: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. ET

Watch: Fox Soccer Plus and FoxSoccer.tv

Betting Odds: Arsenal -185, Wigan +483, Draw +286

Player To Watch for Wigan: F Franco Di Santo

Di Santo has scored four goals in 11 games for the Latics. That might not sound like much for a striker, but when you consider he scored just three times in 55 matches over the last two seasons, it's actually quite the surprise. It won't be as easy to find space against Arsenal, though.

Player To Watch for Arsenal: F Robin van Persie

The Netherlands international has netted 18 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions, including national team duty, during the current campaign. He's been far and way Arsenal's most consistent offensive threat and is a major reason the Gunners have played at such a high level of late.

Key Matchup: Mikel Arteta vs. Mohamed Diame

Arteta was acquired from Everton to provide some creativity in the midfield. However, he's tallied just one assist in 10 Premiership starts since arriving from Goodison Park. His task won't get any easier with Diame patrolling the midfield for Wigan.

What They're Saying

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said his team's thrilling victory over Sunderland might be the game they look back upon as the one that turned things around. Di Santo scored in the 90th minute to secure all three points after falling behind just eight minutes into the match (via WiganLatics.co.uk).

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"I feel this can be a defining moment in our season. It has to be," said Martinez.

"Last week I thought was a real turning point in terms of the way we performed, and if you look at the two points we dropped you see where that would put us in the table. We simply carried on where we left off last week.

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When asked about the team's recent workload ahead of Arsenal's Carling Cup clash with Manchester City, van Persie had some interesting thoughts. Rest certainly comes at a premium, especially with the Gunners still active in the Champions League (via Arsenal.com).

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"These are big games, screened everywhere on TV, and people expect everyone to be fit and put in an amazing performance. At some point, that’s not realistic - if you’re playing four games in nine days, you’ll suffer in the end. Sometimes I feel the fixtures could be decided a little more sensibly."

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Prediction: Arsenal 2 Wigan 1