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By Ian Hughes
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 Adebayor salutes after scoring what proved to be the winner
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Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half strike handed a below-par Arsenal victory, ending Wigan's five-game unbeaten run.
Wigan came close to opening the scoring when Wilson Palacios' deflected shot was smartly saved by Manuel Almunia.
Instead, Adebayor broke the deadlock when he slotted home a low effort after collecting a pass from Cesc Fabregas.
Adebayor almost doubled the lead but Chris Kirkland tipped his shot onto the post and Denilson also saw his drive cannon back off the woodwork.
The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal's youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team.
But Arsenal's seniors struggled to find anything like the fluency of their apprentices, while the visitors might feel that they were a little unlucky to come away with nothing.
Wigan enjoyed early success with a robust and disciplined approach - although Palacios took things too far when he challenged Samir Nasri from behind and ended the Frenchman's match as a result.
Before that, Palacios might have put his side ahead when he struck a shot from the edge of the box but Almunia saved well.
Arsenal looked sluggish and were lacking fight but they went ahead when Fabregas' pass found its way through to Adebayor and he scored with a low shot to Kirkland's right.
Adebayor was inches away from doubling Arsenal's lead when his shot was helped onto the post by Kirkland.
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606: DEBATE
DaStuDawg
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It would have been harsh had Wigan gone into the break two goals down as they largely matched their hosts, particularly through the impressive Lee Cattermole.
But it was a different story after the interval, when Arsenal stepped up the pace and should have made the game safe.
Robin van Persie shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area and also went close with a free-kick, while Denilson cracked a 25-year shot against the foot of the post.
Full-back Bacary Sagna had two chances to get on the scoresheet but saw his near-post header saved and then shot over the bar after Wigan failed to clear a corner.
And Adebayor almost put the finishing touch to a flowing move but Kirkland did well to beat away his shot.
Wigan, though, had chances to make Arsenal pay for their profligacy.
Mario Melchiot was denied by a point-blank save from Almunia, substitute Amr Zaki fired wide and Emile Heskey directed a free header over the bar as Wigan came forward with purpose.
Arsenal's nerves were obvious and they were hardly being helped by substitute Emmanuel Eboue.
So out of sorts was the midfielder that Arsene Wenger took him off before the end.
Yet the Gunners hung on to claim three points, while Wigan will know they should have taken advantage of their disjointed opponents.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson,
Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 32), Van Persie, Adebayor,
Eboue (Silvestre 90).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Bendtner.
Booked: Van Persie.
Goals: Adebayor 16.
Wigan: Kirkland, Taylor, Boyce (Kilbane 63), Bramble, Figueroa,
Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole (Koumas 77), Melchiot, Heskey,
Camara (Zaki 66).
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Brown, De Ridder, Kapo.
Booked: Palacios, Figueroa.
Att: 59,317
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas 7.78 (on 90 minutes).
• Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.
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