Wigan Athletic pulled off a shock 2-1 win at third-placed Arsenal Monday to continue its dramatic late bid to escape the Premier League relegation zone. Roberto Martinez's side scored twice in the first eight minutes and although Arsenal struck back quickly at the Emirates Stadium, Wigan hung on to claim a victory that moved it five points clear of relegation with four matches left in the season. Arsenal stayed third, five points ahead of its north London neighbor Tottenham Hotspur and fifth-placed Newcastle United. Wigan, which beat league leader Manchester United 1-0 last week, took the lead when striker Franco di Santo scored a classic counter-attacking goal after seven minutes and it immediately doubled the advantage through Jordi Gomez. Arsenal was shell-shocked but it regrouped quickly and defender Thomas Vermaelen powered home a header after 21 minutes from Tomas Rosicky's whipped cross. The host continued to dominate possession and Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi made several fine saves to keep his team in front at halftime. Wigan defended bravely in the second half as Arsenal's frustration mounted and the visitors' man-of-the-match striker Victor Moses wasted a good chance to add a third goal after breaking clear of the defense. Wigan climbed three points ahead of 17th-placed QPR and five clear of Bolton Wanderers which occupies the last relegation spot but has two games in hand on its rivals.
