WIGAN 1, ARSENAL 4

MARK the date in your diary because this was the day we were given proof that some clubs are more equal than others.

Arsenal were on the ropes against Steve Bruce's Wigan who were salivating at the thought of beating one of the top four sides for the first time in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger's men were behind to Mido's goal when Antonio Valencia found himself clean through and about to add a killer second just before the break.

But rookie defender Kieran Gibbs had one last desperate act to try and he clipped down the flying Valencia just outside the box.

It was a perfect example of the last man stopping a shooting opportunity. Ref Alan Wiley just had to pull out a red card to condemn Arsenal to defeat.

But this is one of the protected few we are talking about and Wiley bottled the decision. Gibbs stayed on and even added to the home side's anger by later clearing a Mido header off his line.

With a full complement of players, Arsenal ground Wigan down to net another three points. Scandalous? Yep, but it's only unfashionable old Wigan that lost out so who cares! And while Bruce could barely contain his rage on the touchline about the injustice, lucky Arsenal took control with four second-half goals.

For a long time, though, it looked like their 17-match unbeaten League run was about to end.

Wenger rested Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie for the Villarreal game in midweek and in their absence Arsenal struggled to live with a committed Wigan, who got their tactics spot on as Paul Scharner kept Cesc Fabregas in his pocket.

They edged ahead when Mido smashed home a volley after Titus Bramble's header was not cleared after 18 minutes.

Worryingly for Wenger, shaky stand-in keeper Lukasz Fabianski failed to stop a shot Manuel Almunia would have gobbled up. And he needed the post to help him as Ben Watson curled a free- kick against the upright seconds after Gibbs was let off.

Mido took a nasty bang to the head for his efforts and was helped off soon after. And with the focal point of the Wigan attack nursing a missing tooth, Arsenal took advantage.

Theo Walcott terminated Wigan's lead just after the hour with a thunderous drive after Andrey Arshavin smuggled the ball to him.

The Russian's smart pass then allowed Fabregas to roll the ball across goal for Mikael Silvestre to score 10 minutes later.

Sub Adebayor's surging run in the 89th minute brought another goal through Arshavin's drilled shot. Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland was beaten again moments later as Alex Song danced past two half-hearted challenges and netted.

By then Wigan had given up, Wiley was thinking up excuses and Wenger was relieved to head into a Champions League tie with a confidence-boosting goal-fest.

His plans for Wednesday were somewhat disrupted by a knee injury to defender Johan Djourou that will keep him out of the game. Oh well, you can't have everything your own way - even if you are Arsenal!

From JEREMY BUTLER at the JJB Stadium