Arsenal added to in-form Wigan's hit list

Arsenal FC missed the chance to put eight points between themselves and their nearest challengers for third place in the Premier League after suffering a surprise 2-1 home defeat by lowly Wigan Athletic FC.

Roberto Martínez's men, who completed a shock 1-0 win against leaders Manchester United FC in their last outing, did their prospects of avoiding relegation the power of good by taking another notable scalp in north London.

Wigan raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes, Jordi Gómez finishing off excellent wing play by Victor Moses barely 60 seconds after Franco Di Santo had rounded off a rapid counterattack to give the visitors the lead.

The Gunners, who had won nine of their previous ten top-flight matches, halved the deficit midway through the first period when Thomas Vermaelen headed Tomáš Rosický's cross past Ali Al-Habsi, but the hosts' best efforts were thwarted thereafter by a committed Wigan side now five points clear of the bottom three following this fourth league triumph in five.

Arsenal, meanwhile, remain five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Newcastle United FC.