Wigan Athletic vs. Arsenal: 5 Battles the Gunners Must Win

Arsenal travel to Wigan on Saturday, hoping to bounce back from two disappointing performances at home. The Gunners dropped vital Premier League points in last week's drab 1-1 stalemate with Fulham.

Arsene Wenger's side also crashed out of the Carling Cup following a 1-0 defeat to mega rich table toppers Manchester City.

It is important that Arsenal quickly get back on track. Wigan have been struggling at the bottom end of the league all season.

But they pulled off a crucial victory by upsetting Sunderland 2-1 away from home last week. They will be full of confidence, knowing that they have taken four points from their last two home encounters with the Gunners.

Here are five individual battles Arsenal need to win, if they are to leave Wigan with maximum points.

5. Theo Walcott vs. Maynor Figueroa

Theo Walcott's form has improved dramatically over the last few weeks. The fleet footed England international is playing with more aggression and enthusiasm.

Walcott is finely displaying a better understanding of how best to use his natural attributes to his advantage. He is flourishing thanks to a more direct style of play, relying on his lightning pace and instinctive decision making.

Against Wigan Walcott will face resourceful left back Maynor Figueroa. The Honduran is easily Wigan's best defender.

He is pacy and decisive and offers some threat going forward. Walcott's attacking prowess will neutralise most of that forward threat.

But the Arsenal wide man must maintain his concentration and beware of Figueroa's movement. Walcott was caught out badly by John Arne Rise's foray forward against Fulham and cannot afford to make the same mistake again.

4. Aaron Ramsey vs. James McCarthy

Two talented, young midfield starlets are set to do battle at the DW Stadium. Welsh schemer Aaron Ramsey will go up against Republic of Ireland prodigy James McCarthy.

Like most of the Arsenal team Ramsey experienced an off day against Fulham. But the creative youth has also enjoyed many fine performances recently.

Ramsey will need to be at his inventive best to supplement the efforts of Robin van Persie. More goals are needed from midfield to ease the burden on van Persie and Ramsey possesses the technique and clinical finishing to deliver them.

McCarthy is a rising talent, who has been linked with a move to the Gunners on more than one occasion. An active presence in midfield, McCarthy is a driving player who is most adept at linking the midfield and forward lines together.

Seeing which prodigious youngster will outshine the other, is sure to be one of the highlights of this match.

3. Per Mertesacker vs. Hugo Rodallega

German international Per Mertesacker has yet to truly convince since signing for the Gunners. But the tall central defender is starting to look more assured and composed with each game he experiences in the Premier League.

Mertesacker could well be tested by Wigan's maverick, mobile frontman Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian may not be a big goalscorer, but he is a pacy and tricky player and is capable of causing Arsenal problems with his movement.

Rodallega is a deceptive talent who possesses the intelligence and technique to threaten any defense. Unfortunately he is also guilty of a "plays when he feels like it" mentality.

He could be a danger to Mertesacker, given the former Werder Bremen star's lack of lateral pace. It will be interesting to see if Mertesacker's intelligence and anticipation can counteract Rodallega's elusive style.

2. Robin Van Persie vs. Ali Al Habsi

The Premier League's most lethal striker goes up against one of its more underrated goalkeepers. Robin van Persie will look to continue his remarkable form by getting past athletic stopper Ali Al Habsi.

Wigan may have a consistently poor defensive record, but hardly any of that is the fault of Al Habsi. The Oman international is a supremely gifted shot stopper.

Al Habsi has proven in the past that he is capable of producing a string of excellent saves against top opposition. He has the skills that can rescue and safeguard points for Wigan.

But whether or not he can deny van Persie is another matter altogether. The Dutchman has matured into the complete modern forward.

His array of finishing has expanded and he is now as deadly in the air and the box, as he used to be from deeper areas.

Van Persie was unlucky to be denied against Fulham and needs to unleash his wrath against the notoriously fragile Wigan back line and ensure that Al Habsi is in for a long day.

1. Andre Santos vs. Victor Moses

This likely to be the key matchup of the game. Left back Andre Santos has often appeared to be a defensive liability.

But Santos cannot afford to make any mistakes up against dynamic Wigan youngster Victor Moses. The pacy wide forward represents the biggest threat to Arsenal's back four.

Moses is a physically intimidating specimen. He combines awesome, bullish strength with scary straight-line speed, close control and intricate ball skills.

Santos must not grant Moses the freedom to whip numerous deliveries into the box. It is a difficult challenge and Santos needs to use his experience and savvy to cut off space and force Moses backward.

If the maligned Brazilian can deliver a resolute performance, he will go a long way to winning over even his harshest critics.

A Potentially Treacherous Fixture

On paper at least, Arsenal will be heavily fancied to brush Wigan aside. But trips to the DW Stadium have been unforgiving for the Gunners in the past two seasons.

In late April 2010, Wenger's title chasing team blew a two goal lead and suffered a crippling 3-2 loss. In December of last season Arsenal went 2-1 ahead thanks to a spectacular strike from Andrey Arshavin.

A late Gary Caldwell header stole two vital points from Wenger's grasp. The Gunners cannot take this team lightly.

Roberto Martinez is an intelligent young manager who steadfastly sticks to his principles of attractive, passing football. So Wigan can be counted upon to create plenty of chances and they are desperate for points.

After the start to the season Arsenal endured, they simply cannot afford to drop points to teams they should beat. Their top four prospects rest on achieving the maximum from winnable fixtures.