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ARSENAL: Key Battles: The players to watch on Sunday

/noticias.info/ All but consigned to a season of doom and eventual relegation, Wigan's fortunes have improved under the guidance of Steve Bruce. The former Manchester United defender has steered the Lactics out of the drop zone and has brought good vibes to the JJB Stadium. A visit from the league leaders is likely to test their resurgence and resolve to the hilt. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for each Premier League game and bringing you all the statistics and information a fan could need. Swot up now and come Sunday you'll be impressing anyone who'll listen with your new-found knowledge.

Emile Heskey v Philippe Senderos
Injuries have taken their toll on Heskey this season, but the former Liverpool forward is back in the side and is looking like a man intent on catching the eye of Fabio Capello. His goalscoring record this term, by any accounts, is poor. However that is not what Heskey is about. His physical presence and power is virtually unrivalled by any other striker in the league and a bullish approach can run defenders ragged. Testament to his desire is the fact that Heskey has made 12 clearances and although he has lost 11 tackles, he isn't scared to put his foot in. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Senderos' last domestic game were all but banished with a colossal performance in Milan on Tuesday. The Swiss defender has enjoyed a fruitful run in the side of late and has allowed the absence of Kolo Toure to pass without too much distress. Registering two goals, he has also tested the keeper on five other occasions. He has lost just two tackles all season, an average of one every six games, and made 24 clearances.

Titus Bramble v Emmanuel Adebayor
Much maligned in his time at Newcastle, Bramble is much improved at the JJB Stadium. Since joining Wigan, he is proving a tough obstacle for many a striker. A staggering 47 clearances shows that he is often well-placed, and putting his body in the way of 17 goal-bound strikes demonstrates a desperation to succeed. Bramble is rarely tempted to desert his centre-back post - just two shots on target proves that - but when he does, invariably he scores. Two goals, one of which was a thunderbolt to rescue a draw at Anfield, ensures the Arsenal defence will keep a watchful eye at set-pieces. One imagines though that Bramble will have his hands full with Adebayor. The Premier League's second highest scorer can now add European goals to his name and it's fair to assume the domestic stage will profit from it. Three assists and 95 completed passes all point towards an excellent link-up player and his tireless work rate is one reason why the Togo man is one of the most unplayable strikers in the game.

Michael Brown v Mathieu Flamini
Former Tottenham player Brown has been a virtual ever-present in Bruce's Wigan side and it is no coincidence that the Lactics have profited from that. Sometimes too rash in the challenge, Brown has matured and performs the 'holding role' admirably. He has completed 100 passes and embarked on 13 dribbles, facts that show his comfort in possession. He is yet to score this season but has shot at goal 24 times, but crucially he has only hit the target with 10 of those efforts. When describing the job Flamini has done for Arsenal this season, superlatives simply run out. The Frenchman has earned rave reviews around both England and Europe and has formed a formidable partnership with Cesc Fabregas. Supposedly the antithesis to the flamboyant Spaniard, Flamini is equally adept going forward as he is on the back foot. He has missed just 14 tackles all season and made 18 clearances. Three goals and 20 shots on target add further substance to the fact the Gunners' No 16 is the complete midfielder. notas_de_prensa_archivo