Poor pitch frustrates Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger branded Wigan Athletic's pitch 'a disaster' after the Premier League leaders were held to a goalless draw on Sunday.

The Gunners failed to pull further away from main title challengers Manchester United after a frustrating afternoon in the north-west which came hard on the heels of their Champions League last 16 success over AC Milan.

Arsenal are now just two points clear of United at the top having played one game more.

However, Wenger was furious with the state of the pitch at the JJB Stadium after a third league draw in a row.

"I do not want to take anything away from Wigan but, frankly, the pitch is a disaster," said the Frenchman.

"It is disrespectful for the fans who come and pay their money to see that.

"We prepared ourselves mentally to face that pitch. We did what we could, we tried absolutely everything, but we had our chances to win.

"We had to go from a very glamorous fixture against one of the best teams in the world to playing Wigan.



"But we lacked the spark. Wigan defended well and (goalkeeper Chris) Kirkland did the rest.

"When you play teams like Wigan and Birmingham, who are fighting to avoid going down, they never give up."

The pitch is obviously important but what arsene must remember is that both teams have to play on it!

So, are you suggesting that on a poor pitch, in a game between a footballing team and a long ball team, both teams would be equally disadvantaged?

Whether the play the long ball or not is irrelevant. Every team adjusts there game for different circumstances. I will re-itterate - Both teams have an equal chance (ignoring the fact wigan play there more often).

How would you adjust your passing game for a bad pitch?