Late Gunners comeback sinks Wigan

Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry, right, taunts Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after Arsenal's first goal in their Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Tomas Rosicky headed the winner five minutes from the end as Arsenal came from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 on Sunday to keep fourth place in the Premier League.

Denny Landzaat's goal in the 35th minute threatened a major upset at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who were in danger of slipping to fifth, only drew level nine minutes from the end when Wigan defender Fitz Hall turned a cross from Mathieu Flamini into his own net.

Rosicky's winner means that Arsenal now has 49 points, still 17 behind leader Manchester United and still trying to catch Chelsea and Liverpool.

"I felt we deserved it because we did fight until the last second and have shown again fantastic fighting spirit and character," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Wigan remains just outside the relegation zone, five points ahead of the three clubs most in danger of the drop -- West Ham, Charlton and Watford. But Paul Jewell's team went close to becoming the first visiting team to beat the Gunners at their new stadium.

Julius Aghahowa burst into the Arsenal area and pulled the ball back to Landzaat. The Dutch midfielder had plenty of time and space to fire a 25m shot past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Emile Heskey should have made it 2-0 in the 51st when he got clear of the Gunners defense but lobbed the ball over the bar with Lehmann well off his line. Wigan manager Paul Jewell also said his team should have had a penalty when Flamini later leaned on Heskey who was heading for goal.

`Bad decisions'

"We have been denied victory and some points by some bad decisions," Jewell said. "It could cost us ?50 million (US$98 million) [through relegation]."

Wigan was down to 10 men with a player off the field getting treatment when Arsenal equalized. Flamini appeared to be offside when he collected a through ball from Emmanuel Adebayor and his cross was turned into his own net by Hall -- under pressure from Thierry Henry lurking behind the Wigan defender and waiting for a tap-in.

Henry immediately ran over to Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, appearing to taunt him for timewasting during the buildup to the goal.

Two minutes later, Julio Baptista broke clear down the right from another pass by Adebayor and the Brazilian's cross was met firmly by Rosicky's header.

With Arsenal now leading, Lehmann was shown the yellow card for timewasting and, having been booked five times this season, is now suspended for the Feb. 25 League Cup final against Chelsea.

In Sunday's other Premier League game, Gary Speed and Kevin Nolan scored a goal each to give Bolton a 2-1 victory over Fulham and keep the Wanderers on course for a place in European competition next season.

Zat Knight got one back for Fulham and Bolton needed a fingertip save from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the third minute of injury team to ensure all three points.