ARSENAL 1-0 WIGAN ATHLETIC Emirates Stadium Arsenal s second successive league win was a case of two Emmanuels both looking to win over the Emirates crowd. It was Adebayor s 16th-minute strike which won the game and put him on to double figures in all

ARSENAL 1-0 WIGAN ATHLETIC

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal's second successive league win was a case of two Emmanuels both looking to win over the Emirates' crowd.

It was Adebayor's 16th-minute strike which won the game and put him on to double figures in all competitions for the third season in a row.

But the talking point was substitute Eboue, replaced by Mikel Silvestre late on after the home fans emphatically made their displeasure known at his dreadful individual display.

Ironically a neat piece of play by Eboue set up Adebayor for a possible second only for the Togo star's effort to be tipped on to the post by Latcis keeper Chris Kirkland, who conceded three last month at the same venue to Arsenal's reserve side in the Carling Cup.

Many followers remain sceptical about Adebayor's long-term commitment after his public courting of Barcelona and AC Milan in the summer - but another match-winning goal will do his charm offensive no harm.

Robin van Persie, rumoured to be on the verge of signing a new five-year deal, also went close twice in the second half to doubling the hosts' lead before Manuel Almunia's outstanding effort from Mario Melchiot's close-range effort preserved the homeside's clean sheet - and three very welcome points.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, conceded his team's display was sluggish.

"I felt we played with a bit of a handbrake on," he said. "It was a nervy game. On the other hand I praise the team for being focused and determined to win even when they are playing a little bit less well.

"Sometimes I sit here and you say 'you played well but you didn't win' but today you say 'you didn't play well'. We will soon try to combine both."

Latics boss Steve Bruce believed his side were worth a point: "I am disappointed for my players but they gave everything they've got. They came and gave Arsenal a hell of a game.