Defender Steve McMillan and striker David Connolly are doubtful with hamstring injuries while Josip Skoko is rested after returning from Australia.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will pick either Pascal Cygan or Kolo Toure to fill in at left-back for Gael Clichy and Ashley Cole (both foot injuries).
Midfielder Alexander Hleb (knee) and defender Emmanuel Eboue (groin) stay on the sidelines.
Wigan (from): Filan, Chimbonda, McMillan, Carlos*son, Henchoz, Camara, Johansson, Kavanagh, Mahon, de Zeeuw, Francis, Taylor, Teale, Bullard, McCulloch, Baines, Roberts, Pollitt.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Lauren, Cygan, Toure, Senderos, Campbell, Gilberto, Flamini, Fabregas, Song, Pires, Reyes, van Persie, Ljungberg, Henry, Bergkamp, Owusu-Abeyie.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
WIGAN ATHLETIC will have their Premiership credentials thoroughly tested over the next month with home matches against Arsenal and Tottenham, followed in quick succession by December trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. The top flight first-timers go into their first ever meeting with Arsenal in this Saturday lunchtime fixture, three places and five points superior with only Chelsea ahead of them in the table.
The Latics are on an amazing run of eight victories in League and Cup. They were narrowly beaten in both their opening games in the Premiership against London opposition in Chelsea and Charlton, but have not lost since and indeed have only dropped two points in nine outings. Paul Jewell became the first manager in four and a half years to win consecutive Manager of the Month awards, and he'll be anxious to maintain the momentum that's seen last season's Championship runners-up six points off the pace in the highest League and top of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with a 100% return.
Athletic have gone five matches in the League and Carling Cup without having their defences breached. They've played 382 minutes (six hours 22 minutes) of Premiership football since Radhi Jardi netted Bolton's consolation against them in a 2-1 victory at the JJB on 2 October. Wigan have never conceded more than a single goal in a Premiership match.
ARSENAL have a 100% Premiership record at Highbury, but are yet to win a League game on the road. Failure to beat Wigan will see a new club record for the Londoners of seven successive winless away matches in the Premiership era. It would also extend to six their recently broken club record of winless games on the road from the start of a Premier League campaign.
Arsene Wenger's side have managed just two draws from five games on their top flight travels, and are yet to collect a point outside London.
Arsenal are showing some consistency. They've won five and drawn one of the last six in all competitions. The 2-1 reverse at lowly West Brom on 15 October is their only defeat in 12 League and Cup matches. But the Gunners have not secured back-to-back victories in 12 Premiership contests.
REFEREE:
Graham Poll
WIGAN ATHLETIC
2nd 25 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd
Lowest could fall: 2nd
ARSENAL F.C
5th 20 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest could fall: 8th
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Wigan 0 wins, Arsenal 0, Draws 0
Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Arsenal 0, Draws 0
My Prediction
1-2 arsenal
reyes,henry
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will pick either Pascal Cygan or Kolo Toure to fill in at left-back for Gael Clichy and Ashley Cole (both foot injuries).
Midfielder Alexander Hleb (knee) and defender Emmanuel Eboue (groin) stay on the sidelines.
Wigan (from): Filan, Chimbonda, McMillan, Carlos*son, Henchoz, Camara, Johansson, Kavanagh, Mahon, de Zeeuw, Francis, Taylor, Teale, Bullard, McCulloch, Baines, Roberts, Pollitt.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Lauren, Cygan, Toure, Senderos, Campbell, Gilberto, Flamini, Fabregas, Song, Pires, Reyes, van Persie, Ljungberg, Henry, Bergkamp, Owusu-Abeyie.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
WIGAN ATHLETIC will have their Premiership credentials thoroughly tested over the next month with home matches against Arsenal and Tottenham, followed in quick succession by December trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. The top flight first-timers go into their first ever meeting with Arsenal in this Saturday lunchtime fixture, three places and five points superior with only Chelsea ahead of them in the table.
The Latics are on an amazing run of eight victories in League and Cup. They were narrowly beaten in both their opening games in the Premiership against London opposition in Chelsea and Charlton, but have not lost since and indeed have only dropped two points in nine outings. Paul Jewell became the first manager in four and a half years to win consecutive Manager of the Month awards, and he'll be anxious to maintain the momentum that's seen last season's Championship runners-up six points off the pace in the highest League and top of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with a 100% return.
Athletic have gone five matches in the League and Carling Cup without having their defences breached. They've played 382 minutes (six hours 22 minutes) of Premiership football since Radhi Jardi netted Bolton's consolation against them in a 2-1 victory at the JJB on 2 October. Wigan have never conceded more than a single goal in a Premiership match.
ARSENAL have a 100% Premiership record at Highbury, but are yet to win a League game on the road. Failure to beat Wigan will see a new club record for the Londoners of seven successive winless away matches in the Premiership era. It would also extend to six their recently broken club record of winless games on the road from the start of a Premier League campaign.
Arsene Wenger's side have managed just two draws from five games on their top flight travels, and are yet to collect a point outside London.
Arsenal are showing some consistency. They've won five and drawn one of the last six in all competitions. The 2-1 reverse at lowly West Brom on 15 October is their only defeat in 12 League and Cup matches. But the Gunners have not secured back-to-back victories in 12 Premiership contests.
REFEREE:
Graham Poll
WIGAN ATHLETIC
2nd 25 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd
Lowest could fall: 2nd
ARSENAL F.C
5th 20 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest could fall: 8th
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Wigan 0 wins, Arsenal 0, Draws 0
Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Arsenal 0, Draws 0
My Prediction
1-2 arsenal
reyes,henry
