Wigan obliterated/Martinez+Pulis/Gray+Keys

As convincing a win as you will see all season, without some terrific goalkeeping from Al-Habsi Wigan could have been looking at rather embarrassing scoreline, and frankly I could write paragraphs detailed the superb passing and movement which opened up Wigan time and time again, but that would be boring, it was simply a scintillating display of football.

Wigan have a terrible away record against us and it showed, they couldn't get out of their own half such was our dominance. The territorial statistics made dismal reading for Mr Martinez. We simply had too much for them all over the pitch and RVP's finishing (other than his overly exuberant penalty) was unstoppable. It was pretty much our first eleven and it showed, the midfield trio of Song/Wilshere/Cesc has the balance, while the front three of Nasri/RVP/Theo gives us a very nice mix of pace/aggression/movement and trickery.

The fact that we are now keeping clean sheets on a more regular basis should not be forgotten. There are several reasons for this in my opinion; the goalkeeper, the centre back pairing, the full backs' improved form and the defensive balance from the rest of the side. We have conceded just three goals in seven games in January, maintaining this run of defensive form is going to be key in challenging on all fronts. The trick for Arsene is going to be rotating things with two games a week without disrupting the flow of the team, the eleven that he selects for Ipswich will be interesting.

The Martinez comments on Cesc and the Pulis comments on Dempsey, both from yesterday, can be lumped in the same box of stupidity. Both Cesc and Dempsey were clean through, both challenges had no chance of winning the ball cleanly without taking the man first, both challenges made clear contact that brought the attacking player down. They were both clear fouls and the attempts from both these managers to pin the blame away from their own cumbersome and stupid defenders is not only dishonest, but also rather malicious.

Have a listen to these blatantly sexist comments from the comedy duo of Gray and Keys, not only do they slag off female officials, but they have a dig at Karren Brady too. Even if the lineslady from yesterday's Wolves-Liverpool game had made an error, then it shouldn't be insinuated that it's down to her sex, because when a male linesman has a shocker we don't hear people going on about it being because they're male! If officials are shite then they should be criticised for being shite, their sex simply shouldn't come into it. Personally I think Gray and Keys should have been ousted from their positions a long time ago, their short sighted and partisan tabloid style approach has been beneath contempt for some time now.