London, Dec 30: In the much-anticipated Premier League clash between Wigan Athlectic and Arsenal, the Latics held the Arsenal Gunners to a 2-2 draw, thus depriving them the opportunity of equalling Manchester United in the points chart.

Wigan, playing on their home ground, got off to a dominant start, with Latic striker Charles N'Zogbia rushing down to the right and making a brilliant pass, but there was no team-mate to pick up his kick. Arsenal picked up their game after about 8 minutes of play, enjoying a little more of the ball possession.

But by the 15th minute, Wigan had reclaimed the ball with Diame and Rodallega combining brilliantly as the midfielder broke through on goal, but Diame couldn't gather the ball which would have put him one-on-one with the Arsenal goalkeeper.

However, in the next minute, Wigan was awarded a penalty when N'Zogbia was brought down by the foot of Koscielny. Ben Watson took the spot kick to convert a goal for Wigan and the hosts were 1-0 up.

Arsenal had a chance to equalize in the 20th minute when they were awarded a corner kick. But Wigan's Gary Caldwell intercepted the kick from Rosicky to prevent the goal. Arsenal however, was able to level the score in the 39th minute when Chamakh passed the ball to Bendtner whose kick was blocked by Wigan keeper, Al Habsi, only to then see the ball get kicked into the back of the net by the Arsenal's Arshavin.

Just two minutes before half-time, Arsenal struck again. Arshavin broke from midfield and passed to the edge of the Wigan D. With a bit of luck, the ball fell to Bendtner who found himself free in the area and subsequently slotted home to Al Habsi's left, giving his side a 2-1 lead. The match went into half-time at that very score. In the second half, Wigan upped the ante. In the 64th minute, Wigan's Sagna passed the ball to

Cleverley in teh Arsenal D. But the mid-fielder put his curling shot above the cross-bar. In the 70th minute, Arsenal's Wilshere chipped the ball over the Wigan defence to Arshavin, but the

Wigan keeper Al Habsi did well to get down and smother the Russian's strike. Wigan star Charles N"Zogbia was sent off for a headbutt on Jack Wilshere with just over ten minutes of regular time left, and Wigan were reduced to 10 men.

But in the 81st minute, it was heartbreak for Arsenal as Wigan's Watson kicked a great corner to Rodallega at the far post who then headed the ball back across the outside of the goal, before an intercepting Sabastien Squillaci accidentally kicked the ball into the back of the Arsenal net for an own goal. Wigan had equalised in the 81st minute.

At full-time, nine minutes later, the score remained 2-2 with Wigan earning an extra point courtesy Squillaci's error. Arsenal remain third behind Machester City as Manchester United still holds on to the top-of-the-table position.

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