Arsenal climbed to third place in the English Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s second-half penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
With Chelsea not in action until Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa and Tottenham hosting Stoke later on Saturday, Arsenal took advantage of an opportunity to get back into the top four.
The only goal of a scrappy encounter arrived in the 60th minute when Spanish midfielder Arteta fired home from the spot after referee Jonathan Moss gave a penalty for Jean Beausejour’s clip on Theo Walcott.
For all the talk of a crisis enveloping Arsene Wenger’s side after their humiliating League Cup defeat at League Two minnows Bradford, the Gunners have now won their last three league matches and are back in the race to secure a Champions League place.
Wigan remain in the relegation zone after their fourth defeat in their last five league games.