ALFRED N’DIAYE admits the whole of Sunderland will be cheering on Arsenal tonight — whether Paolo Di Canio likes it or not. The Black Cats boss last week slammed his staff for their over-enthusiastic celebrations when Swansea beat Wigan. But after drawing with Southampton, his men will be glued to their televisions for a second Tuesday night in a row. Sunderland’s Premier League status will only be secure if Arsene Wenger’s top-four chasers see off the Latics at the Emirates. Should Roberto Martinez’s FA Cup winners pull off yet more heroics, Sunderland face a nervy trip to Tottenham on the final day where a point will be needed to guarantee safety. N’Diaye, 23, said: “We have to hope that Arsenal do well against Wigan. “Both are very good teams, but Arsenal are going for the Champions League so you would hope that they will get a result. “Wigan have shown what a dangerous side they are — they have showed so many times how to beat teams, so it is not over. “But they are up against one of the best teams in Arsenal so I think it will be difficult for them. “It is a crucial game for both teams which makes me hope Arsenal will do it.” Sunderland’s players did a lap of the Stadium of Light turf following the disappointing home draw with Saints. Staff and players look dispirited while less than half the fans stayed to applaud their team. N’Diaye, who moved to Wearside in January from Bursaspor, revealed the parade was not a pleasant experience. And he believes their needs to be an overhaul of the squad this summer to ensure next season’s lap is one of honour. The French midfielder added: “It felt awkward. We are still in the Premier League but we are in 17th position and that is not good enough. “There were so many fans here and so we are very disappointed with the way we played and what we showed the fans. “We have good players here, but I think we need more. First and foremost we have to stay up, then look around us and see what we should do. “But I really think we should be much higher up the league than this. “West Brom and Swansea are in the top half of the table and we should be where they are as we are as good as them. That is where we should be aiming. “It’s not for me to say what we should do, that’s up to the coach, but all teams need more players and that is maybe what is required.”
What makes you think they were kack, judging by what ive seen this season they've been kack most weeks. So what were you using as your yard stick.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and full-back Kieran Gibbs available again after injury. Striker Olivier Giroud serves the last game of his three-match suspension. Wigan have no new injury concerns following their FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Jean Beausejour may return after missing the match at Wembley, but Maynor Figueroa, Ivan Ramis and Ronnie Stam remain on the sidelines. Close Match preview Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes his side's historic FA Cup win over Manchester City will not get in the way of what is arguably an equally important fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday. Martinez wants his relegation-threatened side to forget the elation of their Wembley win and concentrate on the two wins his side realistically need to prolong their eight-year stay in the Premier League. "Winning this trophy is very special and that takes the football club into a different richness in terms of what we are and our tradition", he said. "It was a moment that changed the perception of our club for millions of people outside the UK and that is really positive but it doesn't need to affect the next two matches. "The memories will live forever but we need to focus on the next two games." Results firmly went against Martinez's side at the weekend, but the Spaniard doesn't necessarily think this is a disadvantage as he says it will help focus his players' minds knowing that only victories against Arsenal and then at home to Aston Villa on the final day will be good enough to survive. "I think we are fortunate in terms of results because if you are relying on other people to do your job that doesn't work in football," he said. "We are very fortunate in that we are third from bottom but if we win the six points we don't have to rely on anyone". Their opponents Arsenal will be just as motivated after Tottenham's win at Stoke lifted Spurs above the Gunners into fourth. It's a position they can regain with a victory over Wigan and their manager Arsene Wenger has urged his players to "finish the job" to secure yet another season of Champions League football. "Both teams have to go for it, it's a huge game for both of us," he said. "We have been very consistent, we've been on a remarkable run and our destiny is in our hands. "Two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands. Today it is. So let's finish the job." Close Match facts Head-to-head Wigan have lost nine of their 10 previous league and cup visits to Arsenal, but did win their last match there - a 2-1 Premier League victory in April 2012. Franco Di Santo and Jordi Gomez scored for Wigan. Arsenal last completed the Premier League double over Wigan in 2008-09. Arsenal The Gunners are the form team in the division. They are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, earning 20 points during that period (W6, D2). They have won all five fixtures against the current bottom three so far this season. Arsenal must win their last two games to guarantee Champions League qualification. However, they failed to win either of last season's corresponding fixtures against their remaining opponents - losing 2-1 at home to Wigan and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United. There has been 65 goals scored at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this season, more than at any other stadium. The club have conceded 22 goals at home this season, eight more than they have conceded away. Lukas Podolski has been substituted 21 times in the league this season, more than any other player. He will set a new Arsenal Premier League record if he is substituted on Tuesday, overtaking Freddie Ljungberg, who was taken off 21 times in 2003-04. Wigan Wigan have not been higher than fourth bottom since New Year's Day. They have only lost one of their last seven Premier League matches in the month of May. The Latics have failed to win in their last 13 league matches on a Tuesday since a 3-2 home victory over Aston Villa in April 2006. They are the only team to have picked up more points away (18) than at home (17) in the top flight this season. Roberto Martinez's side have the joint-worst defensive record in the division, conceding 67 goals. James McCarthy is the only player to start all 36 of the club's league matches this season, completing 34. Emmerson Boyce is set to make his 500th club career appearance.
I'll take a Gunners win like a shot as it will save our bacon. I do so with mixed emotions however, our lousy performances have got us where we are; Wigan at least have played good football and it was only their erratic form that has led them to where they are now. They have been a well managed and properly run club that has reflected what an ordinary club can achieve. If they do lose then the history books will only show that they were the first club to be relegated the season they win the FA cup. Tough to take.
Its happened a canny few times mate, can only think of portsmouth off the top of me heed, sure its half a dozen times or something? Anyone? Edit : i stand corrected, soz for doubting you
Apparently not. http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/has-any-football-team-won-the-fa-cup-and-then-been-relegated/2038376
Ah, cheers bill my mistske Six teams have been losing FA Cup finalists and relegated in the same year: Chelsea (1915), Manchester City (1926), Leicester City (1969), Brighton (1983), Middlesbrough (1997) and Portsmouth (2010). Middlesbrough were unlucky enough to lose both the FA Cup and League Cup finals in their relegation year of 1997. Read more http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/has-any...and-then-been-relegated/2038376#ixzz2TG2JiwuY
And an interesting item from the related questions on there. Which football has never been relegated from top flight football? Wigan Athletic is currently the only football team that has not yet been relegated from top flight football. Read more http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/which-f...om-top-flight-football/22055917#ixzz2TG3t2Onj
Arsenal for a comfortable win tonight. Handicap draw with Arsenal -2 pays out at 3/1 I reckon there'll be two goals in it, then Arteta first goal @ 12's because he's the penalty taker. Outsider is Arsenal 5-0 30/1 - Wigan will go all out attack from the start, could get messy, they've had two days rest and Arsenal have had 10. Fiver on that.
Put £20 on SAFC getting relegated!!! £420 if it happens!!! COME ON WIGAN!!!!! Knowing Sunderland though, the bastards will probably let me down and get a point against Spurs! Seriously though, its a bet that i want to lose! JUST!!! haha! At least if the unthinkable happens, i'll have a bit of extra pocket money, god knows i need it, im ****ing skint!
