By Boris Mellor
November 18 2005

Despite having lost all of his left backs Wenger refuses to contemplate recalling on-loan Justin Hoyte. True Hoyte is not a natural left back, but he has played well there for the Cats this season.

 However Wenger told Arsenal.com on the recall issue, "I am not tempted to do that at all," he said. "We gave Sunderland our word that it was for the season and we will try as much as we can to respect that. Only if I was in a really desperate situation would I do it." That means if only 8 players plus Mrs Rice and the tea lady were available.

On being pressed as to who would fill the vacant left back berth he replied "Pascal Cygan or Kolo Toure - but I won’t tell you which yet." So we can all sleep on that.

It was not in the script that we would be playing a second place team on Saturday, unless it was Chelsea. Nonetheless it is Wigan that are second at the moment, not Arsenal or Manchester United. And it has to be said they deserve it, starting with that stunning first match of the season display against the Chavs. A game they were very unlucky to lose.

So if Arsenal, or any other team thinks that this team is just keeping the second place spot warm for them they better beware. Since the Chelsea game Wigan have become better at putting the ball in the net. So it will take a sterling performance by Arsenal to beat them.

Arsenal are yet to win a game away this season, with three losses and two draws. If we had same form away, as at home we would be top, but the other way around and we would be close to the bottom.

It’s clear that Arsenal have to turn it around very soon, Wigan, without any left full backs, and after an international break, would not be the first choice opposition to wish for perhaps, but Wenger is chipper. He believes that preparation is key, he has had most of his squad back for nearly a week. Only Senderos and Toure were heavily involved last week. Hleb and Cole are still quite a few weeks off, and Ebuoe has a groin strain. No other injuries were admitted to. So apart from the left back situation there should be adequate cover for all other positions.

In the old days when a striker’s shot went into the stands the cry three points to Wigan went up. They didn’t mean the football club, but the nearby Rugby team. It’s one shout that Arsenal fans won’t want to hear, so the team must not shy off in the first half, unlike Spurs, Wigan will show a bit more steel, and punish any team only playing half a game. Wenger blames international breaks for some of those defeats, and there is some truth in that, but he must also remember that shyte defending in all three games played a big role as well. Concentration and commitment must be the watchword.