Wigan 2-3 Arsenal

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Arsenal recorded their first away victory of the season and ended Wigan's impressive winning run.

The Gunners struck first when Robin van Persie's shot squirmed beneath John Filan and Thierry Henry coolly slotted into the corner to double the lead.

Wigan hit back through Senegalese Henri Camara's diving header but Henry pulled Arsenal clear again with a free-kick.

Jimmy Bullard scored with a superb, curled shot into the corner but Wigan could not get back on level terms.

Wigan have made many friends for the way they have acquitted themselves in their first Premiership season.

And their group of admirers will have grown after this performance, despite their defeat.

Not many teams have the tenacity, belief and resilience to drag themselves back into contention when two goals down to Arsenal.

Henry's free-kick was awesome - a joy to watch From Pete Have your say on 606

And particularly when Arsenal are playing at their majestic best, which they were for much of the contest.

Wigan were frequently bewildered by the passing of Cesc Fabregas and the threat of Van Persie, who should have scored more than once.

In the first half he was unlucky to shoot narrowly wide and was later denied by a brave save from Filan.

But after the interval his hesitation cost him when he was robbed of the ball as he prepared to shoot in the box.

The Gunners produced moments of breathtaking football to take two-goal leads on two occasions.

Inevitably both involved Henry - his pace and clinical finishing on show for his first strike and his genius in evidence when his set-piece made it 3-1.

And the build-up to Arsenal's opener, when Van Persie's turn left Arjan De Zeeuw floundering was another demonstration of their class.

But Wigan showed that they too were capable of sublime skill - Bullard's goal every bit as good as Henry's second.

Astutely, Wigan had created the chance by manipulating the inept Pascal Cygan - the Gunners' emergency left-back - who was horribly out of position.

And in Jason Roberts, Wigan seemed to have a match for Henry's pace - if not his finishing prowess.

On 31 minutes the striker sprinted clear and evaded Sol Campbell's lunge but dragged his shot, allowing Kolo Toure to clear.

It would have made the score 2-2 - as Camara had already pulled a goal back, which had sparked a scuffle and led to Roberts being booked for shoulder charging Fabregas.

Lee McCulloch and Damien Francis skewed chances as Wigan created but could not close the deal.

It would be a source of regret for Wigan who failed to penetrate the Arsenal defence as frequently in the second half.

Arsenal, however, were full of creation - a superb Henry back heel deserved better then Fabregas' blast over the bar which followed.

Not as pretty but almost as effective, Roberts almost forced his way free with 10 minutes left but was crowded out in the area.

Roberts, a threat all game with his strength and speed, also flashed a dangerous cross late on but Arsenal's defence held out.

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Wigan boss Paul Jewell:
"We've come out with no points but we can take positives from it.

"When it got to 2-0 I thought 'this could be any score', but we dug in and made a good fist of it.

"Every time we have had a set-back we kick on and we have to do that again, and I don't think we will play a team as good as that in a while."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"I feel we have been mentally and physically tested by a determined, brave Wigan team.

"At times they caused us a great deal of upset, particularly in the first half, because of their commitment.

"But I feel my team is developing well from game to game and we are becoming a stronger force as the season progresses."

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Wigan: Filan, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, Baines, Bullard, Kavanagh, Francis (Taylor 78), McCulloch (Connolly 87), Roberts, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Jackson, Pollitt, Mahon.

Booked: De Zeeuw, Roberts, Kavanagh.

Goals: Camara 28, Bullard 45.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cygan, Ljungberg (Senderos 90), Fabregas, Silva, Pires (Flamini 75), Henry, Van Persie (Bergkamp 75).
Subs Not Used: Reyes, Almunia.

Booked: Toure, Cygan, Flamini.

Goals: Van Persie 11, Henry 21, 41.

Att: 25,004.

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).